**"The Royal Masquerade"**

Part 9

Max woke up to the soft rustling of silk sheets and the faint glow of dawn filtering through the heavy curtains. His body ached slightly, still not used to the corset and layers of clothing from the day before. As he blinked his eyes open, he felt disoriented for a moment, the luxurious surroundings reminding him he was still in the palace. Before he could fully gather his thoughts, a gentle knock sounded at the door.

Without waiting for his response, the door swung open, and a team of maids entered, moving with the kind of practiced precision Max had come to associate with palace life.

"Good morning, my lady," the head maid, Lila, said with a smile. "It's time to prepare for the day. We have much to do before the wedding."

Max groaned inwardly, remembering the promise Elena had made—that today, he would have to fully embrace his role as her stand-in for the royal wedding. He tried to sit up, but the weight of his gown and exhaustion from yesterday made the movement awkward.

Two maids gently helped him out of bed, and before he knew it, he was whisked into the adjoining bathroom where a large, steaming tub awaited him. The maids began their work, scrubbing, rinsing, and ensuring his skin was soft and smooth. His arms, legs, and even his chest were waxed once more, the process just as painful as before, but Max gritted his teeth. The head maid made sure his hair was washed with fragrant oils, and when the bath was finally done, he felt as if he had been polished to perfection.

Next came the elaborate process of dressing him. The maids started by slipping on delicate undergarments—a soft lace bra and matching panties—before securing a tight corset around his waist. Max winced as they pulled the strings, his waist narrowing into an exaggerated hourglass shape. He could barely breathe, and standing up straight felt like a challenge.

"Almost done," one of the maids said cheerfully, as if this were all perfectly normal.

Max just nodded, resigned to his fate. Next came the dress—a traditional royal gown that was heavy with embroidered jewels and golden thread. The layers of fabric billowed around him as they fastened it in place, making him feel like he was being buried under the weight of tradition and luxury.

His feet slipped into satin shoes, and then they brought out the finishing touches: jewelry, gloves, and finally the wig. The long, flowing hair cascaded down his back in perfect waves, and as he looked at himself in the mirror, Max barely recognized the person staring back. It was as if he had fully transformed into Princess Elena.

"We'll get your makeup done, and then you'll be ready," Lila said, stepping back to admire their work.

The maids guided Max to the vanity, where they meticulously applied makeup to his face—foundation, blush, eyeliner, and lipstick—everything needed to complete the look. Max stared at the mirror in disbelief. He looked like Elena, almost too convincingly.

Just as the final touches were applied, another knock came at the door. Lila opened it to reveal a messenger who quickly bowed before speaking.

"Her Highness, Princess Elena, wishes to remind you, Lady Max, that tonight's wedding will be one of the largest events of the season. She also wanted to inform you that you will be staying here in the palace tonight and that your parents have already been informed."

Max blinked. "Staying here?"

The messenger nodded. "Yes, my lady. The princess insisted that you remain at the palace to ensure everything is in order for tomorrow's grand function. It's an order from her highness."

Max sighed inwardly. There was no escaping this now. Not only was he dressed like Elena, but he was also expected to stay at the palace as her for the foreseeable future.

The maids finished his final preparations, stepping back to admire the transformation. "You're ready, my lady," Lila said proudly.

Max took a deep breath, steeling himself for the long day ahead. "Here goes nothing," he muttered under his breath.

As he walked down the grand hallways of the palace, every swish of the gown and click of his heels echoed through the silent corridors. He made his way to the grand wedding venue, where dozens of royal guests were already seated, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Max did his best to blend in, sitting quietly in the front row, all too aware of the stares and whispers from the people around him.

The ceremony passed in a blur. Max tried to focus on the wedding, but he couldn't shake the awkward feeling of pretending to be someone else. Once the ceremony was over, the guests filtered into the grand ballroom for the reception. Max was relieved when he found a quiet corner, hoping to remain unnoticed for the rest of the evening.

Just as he began to relax, a tall, regal figure approached him. Max looked up to see a handsome young man dressed in an ornate suit, his expression both curious and intrigued.

"Princess Elena?" the man asked, his voice smooth and polite.

Max quickly nodded, remembering his role. "Yes, that's me."

The man smiled and bowed slightly. "I'm Prince Adrian of Valmere. It's an honor to meet you. May I have the pleasure of your company for a dance?"

Max froze. A dance? How was he supposed to navigate that?

"Um... I'm not sure," Max began, but Adrian was already extending his hand.

"Nonsense, my lady. Just one dance," Adrian said with a charming smile.

Reluctantly, Max placed his hand in Adrian's and allowed himself to be led onto the dance floor. As the music swelled around them, Adrian guided Max through the steps with ease, though Max stumbled a few times, unused to moving in such a heavy gown and restrictive corset.

"You dance beautifully," Adrian commented, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Max forced a smile, trying to hide his discomfort. "Thank you."

As the dance continued, Max couldn't help but feel the absurdity of the situation. Here he was, dressed as a princess, dancing with a prince at a royal wedding, with no idea how he'd ended up in such a bizarre scenario.

After the dance, Adrian escorted Max back to his seat, offering him a glass of wine.

"You're even more charming in person," Adrian said, raising his glass to Max.

Max blushed, unsure how to respond. He was just relieved when the prince finally moved on to speak with other guests, leaving him alone to catch his breath. The night was far from over, but Max had survived his first royal event as Princess Elena.

As the evening wore on, Max realized one thing: Elena's life wasn't as glamorous as it seemed. It was exhausting, demanding, and filled with pressure. And as he prepared to return to the palace, he knew tomorrow would only bring more challenges.