The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 49

“Okay, the question of boys aside,” Jesse says, clearly rankled by the diminutive appellation as he steps forward again, “seriously, can we trust you? This is…not a small secret.”

“I swear it,” the seamstress says, her eyebrows going up and her face sincere. “Beyond the fact that I will absolutely lose this job if anyone figures out that I kept this secret, I think it’s really cool that there’s finally a girl in the ranks. Plus,” she grins at me and gives me a shy little shrug, “I liked you immediately. And I, too, could use a friend. Gets lonely in this castle.”

“See?” I say, linking arms with her and turning to pout at Jesse. “We’re lonely, Jess. Are you going to deny us friendship?”

Jesse groans, tilting his head back and covering his face with his hands, but I just turn to smile at the girl.

“I’m Daphne,” she says, offering her hand, which I shake. “And I swear, I won’t tell anyone, ever. I want to help.”

“I’m Ariel,” I say in turn, though clearly she already knows that. “And thank you, seriously.”

“Anytime!” she says as Jesse takes a deep breath and drops his hands from his face. “Let me show you what I did –”

– a

Daphne quickly walks me through the details of my uniform modifications wider waist, more breathing room in the chest and the little sports bra that she quickly sewed for me, which she designed to flatten my already–smallish chest as much as possible.

“I’ll make you more of these,” she says, grinning at me, “as well as send you up any women’s products that you need, whenever you need them. Just send me a little note saying you popped a seam, I’ll figure it out.”

I beam at her and impulsively throw my arms around her in a hug, pleased and grateful. “You’re the best, Daphne,” I murmur. “Can you stay for dinner? There will be plenty of food,” I say, pulling back. But then I roll my eyes. “But also, many more boys.”

“That’s all right,” she says, shaking her head, her pretty blue eyes sparkling. “But,

Chapter 49

maybe I can come up later in the week on my day off? And we could…hang out?”

“Yes!” I say instantly nodding and feeling a bit sorry when I see the hope that swells in her eyes. This poor girl she’s probably even more starved for female company

than I am.

“We’ll be glad to see you,” Jesse says, his calm returned now as he slips his hands into his pockets and again steps close to Daphne, smiling down at her. “Though, try to come with it’s just us Sinclairs here in the room,” he murmurs. “We like to keep our secret close.”

“Or,” Daphne says, turning her head, again coy. “Do you just not want to share me with the other boys?”

to see them anyway?” Jesse asks, a subtle twist to his lips. “When you could hang

him at this moment and I just shake my head, turning away. God, a few minutes ago I’d honestly thought Jesse was doing a

Duke?” Daphne says, her eyes wide and innocent. “Is

but as I watch his smile grow I realize that he likes that she’s actually pushing back. “Isn’t it?” he asks, boldly taking another step closer,

bathroom, “isn’t there a Prince

into delighted laughter again, doubling over and putting my hands in my knees at the

gotten the better of him. And Jesse, to

back,” Daphne says, reaching out to me for a hug – which I give her – before she heads for the door. “Ari, I’ll be in touch. And, your grace,” she puts deliberate emphasis on his royal title as she smiles pulls the door

Daphne!” I call as she leaves, but then I instantly

Sun, 10 Mar

Chapter 19

a delighted finger up into

and smacking my finger away. “Come on, you have a workout to do

“What?”

he laughs, shoving me between the shoulders towards

to

the shoulder as I drag my feet towards the door. Honestly, I thought my day was over and I could

smiling at me as we pass through the door and head for

away from my friend,” I snap as we

not,” he says, his voice deadpan as the doors shut and we head down,

get back to the room, me stumbling in exhausted and him casually strolling as if we did nothing more than

open in case any other cadets want to come by and say hello, introduce themselves or whatever.“Hey!” Rafe shouts from the couch, where Ben and

me and shoving me towards the bathroom, letting me subtly know that

–

a little – as ridiculous as it is for Luca to see me

Sun, 10

Chapter 49

it my mind returns, perhaps. inevitably, to the way Luca’s face looked at breakfast this morning – his absolute shock at the realization

and pull my new uniform on- chic and fitted, as promised – before braiding my hair up and

the bathroom door, I almost moan at the scent of foot

glancing up at me. “I had to basically fight these guys

place which is, fortunately or unfortunately, right next to Luca. My attention immediately goes to the food in front of me – roasted chicken all wrapped up in soft flat

dig in with gusto.