The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 336

Chapter 0336

Dad's frown deepens, so I double down.

"Mom said I look pretty," I say, quickly shifting my hand so I point at her now. Mom gasps a little in protest at my betrayal, but dad ignores it all.

"You do look pretty, Ariel," he says, his words even and slow. I drop my hand with a grin, realizing that I'm not actually in trouble and he's not going to send me home to get changed. "I just hope you've thought quite deeply about this wardrobe choice. It is... bold. And it makes a big statement about how you are not a little girl anymore. Are you ready for that?"

I straighten my shoulders, raising my chin a bit. "I can handle it."

Dad holds my gaze for a second and then nods, the matter ended. I grin, pleased in his faith in me. Dad drops his head for a second, loosing a breath and taking a sip of his whiskey, and my heart goes out to him in this moment. Because he's had to handle a great deal of me growing up in a very short amount of time, hasn't he?

And he's been so good about it.

Impulsive, I take a few steps forward and wiggle myself in between my parents, slipping an arm around my dad's waist and leaning into him. My mom smiles, and moves a step aside, letting me wedge myself between them as dad wraps an arm around me, accepting my gesture of warm thanks for being such a good dad.

He gives me a little smile, and then kisses me quickly on the forehead before looking around at the four of us. He glances over at Markie and Juniper, who are chatting with grandpa, I think wondering for a second if he should include them. But then he decides against it.

"The Atalaxians will be coming in soon," dad says, dropping his voice low so as not to be overheard. I perk up a little, interested in this change of conversation. "It's a peace delegation but... Roger and I are very curious about why they're choosing to send one at this point in the war."

"Why this point?" mom asks, her voice likewise low. "What's special about it?"