The Banquet (1)

It's already midnight and I'm in Maxi's room and just lying on her bed. I was thinking about Max's story before he took me here to Maxi's room earlier. It seems familiar. Ugh! Never mind. I'm gonna sleep.

As soon as I was about to close my eyes, I was astounded because there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Maxlilian? Can I come in?" His voice is unfamiliar. Its so deep and scarier than Claude.

"Who are you?" I asked to make sure he wasn't a thief or a ghost or an assassin who was planning to kill Maxi. I'm paranoid, sorry.

We were silent for a moment.

"It's me. Your father, darling." My eyes widened and immediately ran towards the door to open it. After opening the door, I looked up to him slowly. He's too tall, around 6'0 or 6'2. Taller than Max and Claude

His eyes scanned me and the room before walking in. "F-father, what brings you here?" I don't know why but I kind of think that he'll kill me if I mistakenly say something wrong.

He just raised an eyebrow at me. I gulped.

"The servants told me what happened. Why did you do that?" He asked. I averted my eyes.

"Uh, b-because I..." My voice is trembling. Shit.

"Because you what?" He said while brushing his hair with his hand. He looks irritated.

I'm scared. His aura is more scarier than Max and Claude. Somebody help!

"I uh..."

"She felt lonely again." I got startled because someone spoke behind me. Its Max again. Phew! My savior. "She's being suicidal again because they had a fight with 'In Law' yesterday." I think he is talking about Claude.

His father just nodded at him and looked at me again, scanning.

I guess she doesn't care about Maxi.

"Get ready for tomorrow, you two will be joining the banquet. And we will fix your reputation there. Maxlilian's bad reputation." When he mentioned Maxi's name as if I'm not here, I got nervous.

What if he knows I'm not Maxi? What if he knows there is a different soul in his daughter's body? Will he kill me?

"Understood Father." Max said.

He nodded. "Goodnight to you two." He said and pats our shoulder. He walked outside leaving Max and I alone in the room.

I let out a big sigh.

"Don't be so tense in front of Father. Maxi is not like that. Father will be more likely to be suspicious of you." He warned.

"I don't know what attitude to show because I don't know your sister." I threw myself on to the bed and stared at the ceiling. This is hard. Pretending to be someone is hard.

He sat beside me. "If I have time, I will teach you how to be like her okay? For now, be quiet. Don't talk. Just ignore the people who would say hi to you. Don't smile to other guests tomorrow." He said.

I nodded and give him a thumbs up. "Good. The servants will wake you up early tomorrow so sleep now." He said.

He stood up and walked outside. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight to you too, my lady." He responded and I just smiled at him.

As soon as he closed the door, the room filled with silence again. Just like in my room back in my world. Plain, blank, and lonely room. I wonder what happened to my body there.

Are they happy that I died? Or maybe Maxli and I just switched bodies?

I messed with my hair because of frustration. I should sleep. Tomorrow is a big day, I think. I closed my eyes and wait to fall asleep. I hope all goes well tomorrow

--

"Lady Maxlilian, what combination do you prefer, gold and white or black and white?" The head maid asks.

"I think black and white would do." I said while smiling awkwardly. Fufu, I have no sense of fashion.

4 hours passed and they are still preparing my gown and still fixing my hair. This is so tiring.

"But my lady, wouldn't be great if its gold and white? It suits you. It symbolizes as the 'Brightness of the Day', your day will be good and bright too, Your Highness." The other maid smiled.

I looked at myself in the mirror, she's right. That would be great. "I agree." I said and smiled at them.

All of them started to mumble words.

"I can't believe it! The princess really changed since yesterday."

"Indeed. She is not throwing tantrums now every time we prepared her dresses."

"Bless us!"

"Now, now! Settle down ladies. Young master is waiting downstairs. We need to hurry!" the head maid ordered them while she's done fixing my hair.

"Yes ma'am!" they all said in unison and get back to work.

I giggled. They are so cute and adorable.

After 30 minutes I guess, I'm done. I looked at myself in the mirror. Wow! I look so gorgeous, stunning, and… intimidating.

"Let's head downstairs, Your Highness. Your brother is waiting for you." The head maid said.

"By the way, where is father?" I asked. "Don't worry, he is already at the banquet." She answered.

The butler, who was waiting outside, asks for my hand and assisted me while walking downstairs. I looked at the floor to hide my face. Damn it hurts! Its hard to walk in heels. I've only worn them thrice back in my world. Its torture.

"Young master, She's here." I heard the head maid said.

I looked up and saw Max well-dressed. He's so handsome and his suit's color is same as mine. We really looked like a twin, I mean Maxi and Max.

The butler lets go of my hand when Max is walking towards me. "Hand, my lady?" He asked.

I placed my hand on his and he lead the way.

"Nana, please take care everything here while we are gone." Max said to the head maid.

"Yes, young master. Be careful on your way there." She answered.

As we got out, I saw from afar there is a carriage waiting for us. Its bigger than I imagine when I'm reading a novel back in my world.

"After you." He opened the carriage door and he helped me up.

The sits are soft and comfortable. Life of a royalty is fun. Everything you want, you got it.

"So, let's discuss about what you should do later."