The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0258

A cheer goes round the train car and we all lift our glasses higher, toasting our friend and making her feel at home, before we each take a sip. Daphne, a little embarrassed but clearly pleased, struggles to take a sip because she’s smiling so hard. A little rush of joy moves through me as the rich taste of the champagne moves across my tongue, the bubbles echoing the effervescent happiness of my soul in this moment.

“Well, thank you,” Daphne says, nodding her head around to all of us. “But the true celebration is your success at the Academy this first semester-”

We all cheer round at this too, laughing and shouting, I think needing this outlet after the

stress of it all. –

“To making it throu

Daphne says, raising her glass again, and we all toast to this as well, sipping more. When it’s all done, I frown at mine and Daphne’s half–filled glasses and move around her to grab the second bottle of champagne out of Jesse’s hands the moment he pops it open.

“Hey!” he shouts in protest, but I know that he doesn’t really care as I take the bottle by the

neck and move back to Daphne’s side.

J

“Sorry, this is girl champagne,” I say, giving a little shrug and carefully looping my arm with Daphne’s, grinning at her and nodding towards the door to the bathroom at the far end of the room. I turn my smile on her alone now. “Want to take a second, just me and you?”

“Well, if there’s girl champagne involved,” she says, giving a happy little shrug. “Who am I to protest?”

champagne back here,” Jesse murmurs jokingly, ducking beneath

and I move along to the bathroom and I push open the door. “Is there any of that back there?”

A with

bottle that our dad either forgot to have removed or secretly hid there, knowing Rafe

boys start to pull out cut crystal glasses to drink their own toast, I shut the door behind Daphne

pour both of us more champagne, I smile to see Daphne

((

1/3

+15 BONUS

around a bit in awe.

the window, the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, the

I say, laughing and gesturing over to the window seat. “This was…all mom. But she knows that a

true, though. As Daphne and I settle ourselves onto the pink cushion and I refill our flutes, I consider that while mom and dad designed this caboose together – as they do most things – she really took the reins in here. The main room of the train car has

dad in it

–

wood – all rich monied elegance. But here, with rose–gold details and lilies and soft

Dad probably didn’t even think about the bathroom, and mom snuck this

puts out a hand towards

say, smiling softly as I rest my head against the wall. “If there’s anything to forgive.”

—

again. You should be able to trust me implicitly know that I’d never, ever slip something into your drink