Prince Adrian Alistair Montclair stared into the polished surface of his dressing table, a scowl etched on his face as he adjusted his royal attire. He had been in this world for months now, and the facade he had to maintain as a prince was starting to wear thin.
"Seriously, who knew that looking princely would be such a pain in the ass?" Adrian grumbled, tugging at the stiff collar of his ornate shirt. He fumbled with the intricate buttons, his fingers slipping due to their elaborate design.
His personal attendant, James, stood by with a look of practiced patience. "Your Highness, if you would allow me, I could—"
"No, no, James," Adrian interrupted, waving him off with a huff. "I can do it. I just need to figure out how to wear these damn things without feeling like I'm suffocating."
James raised an eyebrow but remained silent, accustomed to Adrian's less-than-royal demeanor. Adrian finally managed to get the last button done and turned to face James, who was trying hard not to laugh.
"How do you even manage to look dignified in this getup?" Adrian asked, trying to smooth out his crumpled waistcoat. "It feels like I'm wearing an armored corset."
James bit back a grin. "It's an art, Your Highness. Years of practice."
Adrian snorted. "Yeah, well, I wasn't exactly prepared for this kind of 'art' when I got thrown into the life of a prince."
The two of them proceeded to the grand hall for a royal function. The vast chamber was filled with nobles, each trying to outdo the other in opulence and pomp. Adrian walked through the crowd, greeting guests with a practiced smile that barely masked his internal exhaustion.
"Ah, Your Highness," a particularly verbose nobleman greeted, his voice dripping with insincerity. "What an honor to see you."
Adrian plastered on his most charming smile. "And the honor is mine, Lord Everly."
As the noble droned on about the latest fashion trends, Adrian's thoughts wandered. His mind was more preoccupied with the discomfort of his outfit and the absurdity of his situation. He longed for a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, or at least something that didn't require a degree in royal etiquette to wear correctly.
"Your Highness, might I have a word?" another noble, Lady Beatrice, approached with a knowing smile.
Adrian nodded, trying to muster up the energy for another round of polite conversation. "Of course, Lady Beatrice. What can I do for you?"
The conversation quickly spiraled into an endless discussion of the latest gossip, all of which seemed more trivial by the minute. Adrian forced himself to stay engaged, though his mind kept drifting to thoughts of escaping this never-ending charade.
✽✽✽✽✽
At last, the event drew to a close, and Adrian was free to retreat to the relative comfort of his private quarters. He collapsed onto a plush sofa, his royal garb pooling around him like a defeated banner.
"That," Adrian said, exhaling deeply, "was exhausting."
James entered with a bemused expression, holding a tray of refreshments. "A difficult evening, Your Highness?"
"You could say that," Adrian replied, accepting a glass of wine and taking a long sip. "It's like performing in a never-ending play where I'm stuck in the role of the perfect prince. Honestly, how do people do this every day?"
James chuckled softly. "Your Highness, you've managed to adapt quite well. But I understand—acting as a prince isn't easy."
"Well, that's an understatement," Adrian said, shaking his head. "It's a full-time job just trying to remember the proper way to hold a goblet and not trip over my own feet while walking backwards."
As he continued to vent about the trials of his princely duties, James listened with a sympathetic ear. Adrian's complaints were familiar, but they were a testament to how hard he worked to uphold the image expected of him.
Eventually, Adrian leaned back, a weary smile on his face. "You know, James, I appreciate you putting up with my complaining. Sometimes I feel like I'm one step away from just giving up and running away to live a quiet life in the countryside."
James smiled, understandingly. "As long as you're here, Your Highness, you have a duty to fulfill. But it's perfectly fine to have moments of frustration."
Adrian sighed, his smile turning genuine. "Thanks, James. I guess every job has its ups and downs. Even being a prince."
James bowed slightly. "Indeed, Your Highness. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll leave you to your well-deserved rest."
As James departed, Adrian looked around his lavish room, the weight of his responsibilities momentarily lifting. Despite the difficulties, he knew he had a role to play in this world, and he was determined to make the best of it—royal garb and all.