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?”

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

my head, turning away. God, a few minutes ago I’d honestly thought Jesse was doing a good job of flirting with Daphne, but with

a Duke?” Daphne says, her eyes wide and innocent. “Is that supposed to be impressive?”

that he likes that she’s actually pushing back. “Isn’t it?” he asks, boldly taking another step closer, “It’s not

glancing towards the bathroom,

my hands in my knees at the way

grins too, smiling up at him, pleased as punch to have gotten the better of him. And Jesse,

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 leaves, but then I instantly spin to grin up

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Chapter 19

delighted finger

he says, still smiling and smacking my finger away. “Come on, you have a workout

“What?”

between the shoulders towards the

got to keep you fit if

around,” I accuse, glaring at him over the shoulder as I drag my feet towards the door.

at me as we pass through the door and

from my friend,” I snap as we climb back into the elevator.

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

when Jesse and I get back to the room, me stumbling in exhausted and him casually strolling as if we did nothing more than take an evening walk.

Rafe shouts from the couch, where Ben and Luca are already sitting. Rafe glances up at the clock.

just needs to get faster, doesn’t he?” Jesse says, grinning at me and shoving me towards the bathroom,

–

little – as ridiculous as it is for Luca to see me all red and sweaty.

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Chapter 49

mind returns, perhaps. inevitably, to the way Luca’s face looked at breakfast this morning – his absolute shock at the realization that not only are our midnight dream meetings real, but that in the end

hand, and I towel off and pull my new uniform on- chic and fitted, as promised – before braiding my hair up and tucking my cap onto

door, I almost moan at the scent of foot that immediately

up at me. “I had to basically fight these guys to keep them away from your serving. What took you so long?”

attention immediately goes to the food in front of me – roasted chicken all wrapped up in soft flat bread, spread with spicy

dig in with gusto.