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?”

subtle twist to his lips. “When you could hang out with a duke?”

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

and innocent. “Is that supposed to be

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

she says, hesitating and glancing towards the bathroom, “isn’t there a

over and putting my hands in my

punch to have gotten the better of him. And Jesse, to

I give her – before she heads for the door. “Ari, I’ll be in touch. And, your grace,” she puts deliberate emphasis on his

but then I instantly spin to grin

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Chapter 19

pointing a delighted finger up into his face. “You are

finger away. “Come on, you have a workout to

“What?”

shoving me between the

hear about the Examination at the end of term? We’ve got to keep you

I accuse, glaring at him over the shoulder as I drag my feet towards the door. Honestly, I thought my day was over and I could relax.

I like you for you,” Jesse says, smiling at me as we pass through the door and head for the elevator. “Though I do

friend,” I snap as we

his voice deadpan as the doors shut and we head down, down, down to

and a half later when Jesse and I get back to the room, me

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

says, grinning at me and shoving me towards the bathroom, letting me subtly know that I can take first

–

– as ridiculous as it is for Luca to see me all

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Chapter 49

morning – his absolute shock at the realization that not only are our midnight dream meetings real,

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

open the bathroom door, I almost moan at the scent

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

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

in with