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?”

Jesse asks, a subtle twist to his lips. “When

me at the gall of him at this moment and I just shake my head, turning away. God, a few minutes ago I’d honestly thought

and innocent. “Is that supposed to be

as I watch his smile grow I realize that he likes that she’s actually pushing

the bathroom, “isn’t there a Prince just behind that

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

have gotten the better of him. And

which I give her – before she heads for the door. “Ari, I’ll

Daphne!” I call as she leaves, but then I instantly spin to grin up at Jesse.

Sun, 10 Mar

Chapter 19

got you!” I say, pointing a delighted finger up into his face.

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

“What?”

between the shoulders towards the

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

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

through the door and head for the elevator. “Though I do admit, the seamstress could

away from my friend,” I snap

he says, his voice deadpan as the doors shut and we head down, down, down to the ground floor.

still panting and gross with sweat an hour and a half later 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

the couch, where Ben and Luca are already sitting. Rafe glances up at the clock. “You’re pushing it close to dinner time,”

grinning at me and shoving me

–

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

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Chapter 49

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

forces my hand, and I towel off and pull my new uniform on- chic and fitted, as

the bathroom door, I almost moan at

fight these guys to

little corner of the couch – a place which is, fortunately or unfortunately, right next to Luca. My attention immediately goes to

in with gusto.