**"The Royal Masquerade"**

Part 8

Elena stood by her ornate wardrobe, slipping into a soft silk blouse that shimmered under the morning light filtering through the grand windows of her chambers. She moved with practiced grace, adjusting the fitted blouse before turning to Max, who stood awkwardly in the corner, already feeling out of place.

"Elena, do I really have to help you with this?" Max asked, his voice hesitant as he fidgeted with the padded bra beneath his own clothes. The soft fabric of the women's jeans he'd been forced to wear clung uncomfortably to his legs, and the necklace Elena had given him hung heavily around his neck.

"Yes, Max. It's part of your duties now. You're going to be my double, remember?" Elena replied with a teasing smile, her voice calm but firm. She turned her back to him and pulled her long hair over one shoulder. "Now, zip me up."

Max hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of his new reality pressing down on him. But he stepped forward, taking the delicate zipper between his fingers and slowly pulling it up the back of her blouse. The silky material felt foreign under his touch, and he couldn't shake the awkwardness of helping her dress, as though it signaled a deeper plunge into this strange world he now found himself in.

"Good," Elena said, turning around once he was done. She smiled at him, looking him up and down. "You'll be helping me with a lot more soon, so you'd better get used to it. Let's not forget that you're practically me now, at least in appearance."

Max shifted uncomfortably, tugging at the waistband of the fitted pants. "This is all still so weird."

"Well, it's about to get weirder," Elena replied, flashing him a mischievous grin. "We have a full day ahead, and it starts at the salon."

---

The ride into town was uneventful, though Max couldn't help but feel self-conscious in his clothes. Every time he shifted in his seat, he was reminded of the padded panties he wore beneath his jeans, shaping his body in a way that made him feel oddly exposed. Elena, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease, casually pointing out landmarks as they passed through the bustling streets.

When they arrived at the salon, Max's nerves began to spike. The building was lavish, with gold accents and large windows that offered glimpses of the elegant interior. As they stepped inside, the receptionist greeted them warmly, addressing Elena as "Princess," and briefly looking over at Max with a curious glance.

"Ready for your treatments?" Elena asked, not waiting for Max's answer before leading him further into the salon.

The private room they were shown to was luxurious, with plush chairs and a row of beauty products laid out on the counter. The head stylist, a middle-aged woman with perfectly coiffed hair, approached them with a knowing smile.

"We'll start with the waxing," she said, motioning for Max to sit down.

Max's eyes widened. "Wait, waxing?"

Elena chuckled, giving him a light shove toward the chair. "Of course. Can't have you walking around with all that body hair, can we?"

Before Max could protest further, the beauticians began their work. He flinched with every strip they pulled, the sensation of the hot wax followed by the sharp tug making him wince in pain. His arms, legs, chest—nothing was left untouched. Elena, sitting comfortably in the chair beside him, watched with a smirk as he suffered through the ordeal.

"You'll thank me later," Elena teased as they moved on to his pedicure and manicure. His nails were trimmed, shaped, and painted with a soft, feminine pink. The beauticians worked with swift precision, chatting casually as if they weren't completely altering Max's appearance.

Next came the facial. Max sat back in the chair, trying to relax as they applied a series of creams and masks to his face. His skin tingled under the attention, and although it wasn't painful, it was yet another reminder of how far from normal his day had gone.

"Don't forget the ears," Elena added with a sly grin.

Max's stomach dropped. "Ears?"

Before he knew it, the stylist was holding a piercing gun, positioning it against his earlobe. He barely had time to react before a sharp pinch made him wince, and then again on the other side. Two small, silver studs now decorated his ears.

"This is ridiculous," Max muttered, rubbing at his sore earlobes.

"Oh, it's not over yet," Elena said with a grin. "You still need a new wardrobe."

---

After the salon, Elena led Max to one of the town's finest clothing boutiques. The shop was filled with racks of elegant dresses, blouses, and skirts, all tailored to the latest fashions. Max's discomfort deepened as Elena began pulling items from the racks, handing him dresses, blouses, and even lingerie to try on.

"You'll need all of this for tomorrow," she said, thrusting a delicate lace bra and matching panties into his hands. "Go on, try them."

Max hesitated, staring down at the silky undergarments in his hands. "I don't think I can do this, Elena."

Elena raised an eyebrow. "You're going to have to. You can't very well go to the wedding tomorrow dressed like that."

"A wedding?" Max's eyes widened. "You never mentioned a wedding."

Elena smiled sweetly, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Yes, and you're expected to be my double there, which means you'll need to look the part. Don't worry, I've already informed your parents that you'll be staying at the palace tonight to prepare."

Max groaned, but there was no escape. With a resigned sigh, he stepped into the dressing room, where he struggled into the bra and panties. The lace felt soft against his skin, but the padding exaggerated his new curves even more, making him feel entirely unlike himself. When he emerged, Elena clapped her hands together.

"Perfect! Now, let's get you into a dress."

She handed him a flowing, knee-length gown in a soft pastel color. Max pulled it on reluctantly, feeling the weight of the material as it settled around his body. The dress fit perfectly, hugging his figure in a way that emphasized his feminine form even more.

Elena grinned as she stepped back to admire him. "Now, that's better. You look just like me."

Max glanced at his reflection in the boutique's mirror and barely recognized himself. The smooth skin, painted nails, and pierced ears combined with the dress to create an image that was strikingly similar to Elena.

"I don't know how I'm going to pull this off," he muttered.

Elena chuckled, looping her arm through his. "Don't worry, Max. You'll be perfect by tomorrow. Now let's go find you some more outfits, shall we?"

They spent the rest of the afternoon shopping, with Elena picking out several more dresses, skirts, and pairs of women's underwear for Max to wear. Each new item only added to his growing discomfort, but Elena seemed to be having the time of her life.

By the time they returned to the palace, Max was exhausted, his body aching from the day's transformations. As they climbed the stairs to Elena's chambers, she gave him one last teasing smile.

"Tomorrow's going to be a big day," she said. "Make sure you get plenty of rest. You're staying here at the palace tonight to be fully prepared for tomorrow's wedding."

Max blinked. "Wait, staying here? What about my parents?"

Elena gave him a soft smile. "I've already spoken to them. They know you'll be staying here. Don't worry, Max, everything's taken care of. All you need to focus on is looking perfect for tomorrow."

Max nodded weakly, too tired to protest anymore. Tomorrow, he would have to face the world as Elena's double—and there was no going back now.