**"The Royal Masquerade"**

Part 13

Max woke up the next morning to the sound of quiet knocking on the door. He sat up quickly, still disoriented from the events of the previous night. His heart raced as memories of the kidnapping and his parents' deaths came flooding back. 

An officer entered the room, giving him a sympathetic look. "The royal family has been informed," she said softly. "They're sending someone to bring you to the palace. You'll be safe there."

Max nodded, his throat tight. He still wasn't sure how to process everything that had happened. He had been mistaken for a princess, his parents had been murdered, and now he was about to be taken under the protection of the royal family. It all seemed unreal.

After a quick breakfast provided by the police, Max changed into the clothes they had given him—simple jeans and a shirt, a far cry from the royal gown he had been wearing during the kidnapping. He was grateful for the casual attire, though the weight of the past 24 hours hung heavily on his shoulders.

A few hours later, a black car arrived at the police station. A well-dressed man with a calm, authoritative presence stepped out and introduced himself as a member of the royal staff. He explained that the royal family had insisted on bringing Max to the palace for his protection, especially after the misunderstanding that had led to the attack.

Max climbed into the car, his mind still clouded with grief and confusion. As the car sped away from the small police station, he stared out the window, lost in thought. His parents' voices echoed in his mind, especially the last conversation they had before the attack. They had been talking about how strange it felt for him to be dressed as the princess, and how he was uncomfortable pretending to be someone he wasn't.

**"It's just for a bit longer,"** his father had reassured him. **"Once this is all over, we'll go back to normal."**

But now, there was no going back to normal. His parents were gone, and his life was forever changed. 

The drive to the palace took several hours, and by the time they arrived, Max felt emotionally drained. The grandeur of the palace did little to lift his spirits as they passed through the gates. He had never imagined being here under such circumstances. 

Once inside, he was greeted by members of the royal staff who offered their condolences and guided him to a luxurious guest room. The room was elegant, with large windows overlooking the palace gardens, and a soft bed that seemed far too comfortable for someone in his state of mind.

Later in the day, one of the royal advisors came to speak with him. He was a serious-looking man with kind eyes who explained the royal family's decision to keep Max under their protection.

"The kidnappers targeted you because they believed you were the princess," the advisor said. "It was a mistake, but a dangerous one. We can't risk them finding out who you truly are or coming after you again. For now, it would be best if you stayed here, under our care."

Max nodded silently, feeling overwhelmed. The idea of staying in the palace indefinitely was both terrifying and surreal. What would his life even look like now?

As the days passed, Max found himself in a strange, new routine. The palace staff treated him with the utmost care, making sure he had everything he needed. The royal family, though busy, made efforts to check in on him and offer their support. 

But Max couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place. He wasn't royalty, and he didn't belong in this world of luxury and opulence. Worse, the constant reminders of his parents' deaths haunted him, and the weight of grief pressed heavily on his heart.

One evening, as Max sat by the window of his room, staring out at the fading sunset, there was a knock on the door. It was the princess herself. She was a few years older than Max, with a regal yet approachable demeanor.

"I wanted to check on you," she said, stepping into the room and sitting beside him. "I can't imagine what you're going through, but I want you to know you're not alone."

Max swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. The princess's presence was both comforting and overwhelming.

"I don't know how to feel," Max admitted after a long pause. "I never asked for any of this. I don't even know who I am anymore."

The princess nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "You're going through something no one should ever have to experience," she said gently. "But you'll find your way, Max. And until then, we'll be here for you."

They sat in silence for a while, the quiet evening air filling the room. For the first time since the attack, Max felt a small sense of peace. He didn't know what the future held, but at least for now, he had a place to stay—a place where he could begin to heal.

The road ahead would be difficult, filled with questions and uncertainties. But Max was determined to move forward, to find out who he was in this new world he had been thrust into. And with the support of the royal family, perhaps he could one day reclaim the life that had been taken from him.