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?”

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

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

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

actually pushing back. “Isn’t it?” he asks, boldly taking

bathroom, “isn’t

laughter again, doubling over and putting my hands in my knees at the way Jesse’s mouth pops open in surprise.

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

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 open, “it was so

then I instantly spin to grin up at Jesse.

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Chapter 19

finger up into

still smiling and smacking my finger away. “Come

“What?”

between the shoulders towards the door.

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

around so Daphne keeps coming around,” I accuse, glaring at him over the shoulder as I drag my feet towards the door. Honestly, I thought my day was

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

snap as we climb back

doors shut

a half later when Jesse and I get back to the room, me stumbling in exhausted and him casually

and say hello, introduce themselves or whatever.“Hey!” Rafe shouts from the couch, where Ben and Luca are already sitting. Rafe glances up at the clock. “You’re pushing it close to dinner

he?” Jesse says, grinning at me and shoving me towards the bathroom, letting me subtly know that I can

–

ridiculous as it is for Luca to see me all red

Sun, 10 Mar

Chapter 49

take my time in the shower because while I’m in it my mind returns, perhaps. inevitably, to the way Luca’s face looked at breakfast this morning – his absolute

on- chic and fitted, as promised – before braiding my hair up and tucking my cap onto

the bathroom door, I almost moan at the

Rafe says, glancing up at me. “I had to basically fight these guys to keep them away from your serving. What took you

becoming my little corner of the couch – a 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 bread, spread with spicy sauce and

in