The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 68

“Because,” Daphne says, giving a happy little sigh and taking a long sip of her wine, “you’re

–

right the boys here would throw themselves at my feet just because I’m the only girl here

– at least, the only admitted girl here.”

I raise my glass in toast to her, conceding the point.

“But,” she continues with a shrug, “I’m not going to throw myself at the first boy I find myself attracted to – fall in love, get wrapped up in a marriage I haven’t really considered, find myself ten years from now tied to a life that I didn’t want. I want to be more careful than that.”

I nod, understanding. “So, you want to choose your boys carefully. Clever work, Daphne.”

She grins at me, accepting the compliment. “Seems a waste sometimes, though. All these boys for the pickings and I just….leave them on the vine.”

“A job perk left unused,” I murmur, agreeing. “Is the job worth it, besides that? You seem really isolated here.”

“I am isolated,” she says, shrugging before grinning at me, “which is partially why I’m so

–

glad you’re here now seriously, you’d better make it through to the spring semester, I’ll be desolate if you leave me after only a couple months.”

“I’ll do my best,” I say, nodding seriously, “just for you.”

She laughs along with me but then I tilt my head to the side, considering her again, wondering about her past. “Daphne, how did you end up here?”

“My uncle got me the job,” she says quietly. “He was the tailor here before me he brought me in two years ago, when his heath started to fail and he couldn’t keep up with the work. And then when he died, they gave me his spot, because I’m fast, and I work hard, and I know the uniforms inside and out.”

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly, realizing that she really is all alone here now that she’s lost her

uncle as well.

only

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says, her smile soft. “He had a long life, and I’m not unhappy here. I’m cozy. and warm, and busy I like all that. And the Academy pays incredible wages, so it’s well worth being alone for a little for the money

to you?” I ask, genuinely

eyes going a little far–off at the idea. “I don’t need a big mansion or anything – just…the ability to travel where I want, to support myself.

of that as a possibility for myself. Total freedom, a life on my

want,” she says quietly. “But…I would request

at this, stretching my leg across the bed and giving her a little kick. “Do

–

has had a crush on

her but laughing anyway, “you wouldn’t think he’s so cute if you had to

enough. I sigh because I mean, I know Rafe’s reputation in the world I’ve seen the tabloids, and I’m aware that my brother is objectively good looking.

to it. “Poor Jesse,” I sigh, resting my head against the wall. “You’ll break his heart, you know, crushing

tells me your Jesse needs to have

much, and I know his heart. is in the right

Chapter no

I love him. He deserves some loyalty, after all. “Jesse’s not a bad guy, Daphne,

he’s bad,” she says, nodding with a smile. “I just think he’s maybe a little bit… dangerous. A little too easy to fall in love with, that one you’ve

not Rafe?” I ask,

–

she says, grinning at me. “Nobody actually expects Rafe Sinclair to look their way. You cousin the duke,” she shakes her head, “a little too possible.”

my nose as I look down at my wine, not precisely disliking learning about this side of my brother and my cousin that I hadn’t thought of before, but certainly unnerved by it. Daphne, perceptive, moves on.

knee. “Tell me everything.

always letting me take the lead. But as the story continues, I see her perk up a little, her intuition tingling, when Luca’s name starts to be repeated more and more as

to lean forward and give her another little kick.

into a laugh and grabbing the bottle to refill my glass of wine, just a little

do not,” I protest, but my cheeks redden..