The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"There's one last trial before you're fully enrolled," dad says slowly, peeling his orange in one long strip. "And that is your academic finals. If you pass those, then I won't fight you on returning to the Academy." I gasp, thrilled, leaning forward to thank my dad with all of my heart.

"But!" dad says, holding up a finger. "I won't have it a secret anymore - not from the officials, and not from your professors. At least, those you work with. If you pass your finals, we will have a word with each of your professors. And if they refuse to work with you..." he shrugs, meeting my eyes. "I'm not going to force them, Ariel. And you shouldn't seek to either. It is...too dangerous a world, to not be working with people who are betting against you."

I bite my lip, considering it quickly, my mind sweeping over the Captain, and Neumann, and Alvez. The last of the three, obviously - rather indecently, if I'm being honest - does not have a problem with working with a young woman. But the other two...

"And," dad continues, focusing on the fruit, "the boy who shot you - Wright? He has not yet gone through his tribunal for attempted murder -"

My eyes go wide as I consider that...well, yeah. That Wright broke the rules when he shot me in the stomach.

"So," dad continues, flicking his eyes to me. "I want you taking no risks, Ariel. Your tests, and the room. Those are the only places I want you until we get that boy out of that school."

"Okay," I say suddenly, giving a terse nod. "Okay, I accept it."

right," dad says, nodding seriously and looking down at his fruit and fighting his smile. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ

but then I can't help it - I'm up out of my seat with a shout joy and throwing myself at my dad, wrapping my arms around

whisper, and a rush of warmth and joy runs through me when my dad wraps his big

back to smile at my face, his own filled with a thousand emotions I couldn't even begin

to have him as my dad, and my mom as my mom, and my brother as my brother. "Don't worry.

towards the table. "Then eat up, because your marksmanship final is today, and you'll need your

gasp, my eyes going

mouth twisting up at the corner. "Part of the joy of Examination is the

over at Rafe to see that his face is likewise

he says, his eyes meeting mine. "We

back into my seat and begin eating as fast as I can. Rafe matches my pace as I slurp down my coffee and stuff toast into my mouth along with strawberries, melon - whatever will fit. My parents just grin