**"The Royal Masquerade"**

Part 11

Max slowly regained consciousness in a cold, dimly lit basement, the weight of the heavy royal gown he was wearing pressing down on him. His wrists were bound behind him, and the luxurious fabric felt oppressive in the grimy environment. As he struggled to sit up, the fear and confusion of the ambush replayed in his mind. His parents were dead, and now he was a prisoner.

Footsteps approached from above, and the sound of a door creaking open sent a shiver down his spine. Two masked men descended the stairs, their heavy boots thudding against the stone floor. They moved with purpose, their eyes scanning the basement with a mix of curiosity and disdain.

The taller of the two, with a grim expression, looked over Max's royal gown with a mix of interest and suspicion. "Well, well, what do we have here? A princess, perhaps?"

The shorter kidnapper grinned, but his smile faltered as he examined Max more closely. "We should check if this 'princess' is all she seems to be."

They approached Max, who recoiled instinctively. The shorter kidnapper grabbed at the gown and started to pull it off. Max tried to protest, but the struggle was futile. They forced him to his feet, and Max felt the gown being removed, leaving him in his undergarments—expensive, padded lingerie that had been part of his disguise.

"Look at this," the taller kidnapper said, pointing at the bulge visible through Max's panties. "This isn't a girl at all. It's a boy!"

The shorter kidnapper's eyes widened in disbelief as he saw the bulge. "You're right. This isn't the princess. It's just a guy dressed up."

Max's face turned red with embarrassment and fear as the kidnappers exchanged frustrated glances. "What now?" the taller kidnapper asked, clearly annoyed by the turn of events.

"We need to deal with this," the shorter one replied, looking Max up and down. "But first, let's get this guy into something more fitting for the situation."

With that, they roughly pulled out a bikini from a bag they had brought. "Put this on," the taller kidnapper ordered, tossing the bikini towards Max.

Max hesitated, but the men's stern expressions and the threat of further intimidation forced him to comply. With trembling hands, he slipped into the bikini, the thin fabric clinging to him and highlighting his masculine form. The kidnappers observed, their eyes narrowing as they took in the sight.

"Look at that," the taller kidnapper said, pointing at the bulge now accentuated by the bikini. "This really isn't what we were expecting."

The shorter kidnapper sighed, clearly frustrated. "This is a bust. We can't keep him like this. Let him go. We need to rethink our plan."

Relieved but still shaken, Max watched as the kidnappers turned and left the basement, their footsteps fading away. Once the door was closed, Max quickly removed the bikini and the remaining parts of the gown. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

With a mix of fear and determination, Max knew he had to find a way out. Despite the discomfort and the trauma of the recent events, he resolved to escape, seek help, and figure out his next steps. As he prepared to leave the basement, he took one last look around, bracing himself for the challenges that lay ahead.