The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0482

"My very lackluster current plan," Ben continues on a sigh, lifting his eyes to mine, "is to study really hard."

I burst out laughing at this, shaking my head, because he sounds like me in this moment - diving into homework like it's going to save the world.

Ben grins, sensing the direction of my thoughts, but carries on. "I want to become an Atalaxian ambassador fast - a real one. One that your father sends over to Atalaxia as part of a mission. I mean, I want to help end the war, but also being there could...I don't know, give me a chance to talk to Elias. To learn what he wants and needs, figure out...more of a plan."

I go a little pale at the idea of Ben going to Atalaxia as an ambassador - because it's already dangerous for any of our countrymen who go over there, but with his sexual identity...

"Don't forbid me, Ariel," Ben says, again reading my mind, his face softening at my clear worry. "You'd do it too, if Jacks or Luca were on the line."

And as I consider that, I pull in a deep breath and nod, sitting up straighter. Because he's right - I'd do it in a heartbeat, in an instant. And I'd be looking to do more. "That's all a very long-term plan, Benny," I say quietly, holding his gaze. "Don't you want to move faster than that?"

up his hands like he's helpless. "But I mean,

next words carefully. "Actually," I say, the word drawn out in my hesitation. "I think you should

he stares at me. "You want me to tell my crush about my mate, the Atalaxian

if it's the easiest thing in the world. "Tell the Prince you're crushing on about

tear from his eye that's not all mirth, I can see that some

I say, screwing my mouth to the side. "But honestly, Ben, I know that you have this idea that things will be different between you and Rafe if you tell him that you like guys, but...Rafe knows a lot about the inner workings of the Atalaxian court and he could talk to dad about best plans for getting Elias out of there - if that's what you guys decide is best. I think

nodding even as he looks away from me out of the window. "I'll consider it," he says after a moment, his eyes going a bit hazy

avenues. But honestly, I know so damned little about these politics and this war that I'm extremely limited in what I can offer him right now. I curse, again, the stupid gender bias that

a point, mentally, to steal my brother's textbooks and work hard to fix

the hell will I have time to