The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 471

“Really?” I ask, perking up and looking around. “What happened?”

“We got our specializations,” Ben says, beaming at me as he settles onto the couch next to Luca and I, sitting in my usual seat.

“That’s amazing!” I burst out, delighted. But then I hesitate. “But also, what does that mean?”

Ben laughs at me, shaking his head. “It kind of sounds like the same as you, Ari – you got a personal tutor, but the rest of us just got sorted into smaller groups with new professors who are able to teach us according to what the Academy thinks is going to be out future jobs.”

“That’s so exciting,” I say, my eyes going wide as I look around at them. “What did you get, Benzie?”

“I,” Ben says, pressing a proud hand to his chest, “am going to be an Ambassador of the proper sort – the kind that actually goes places and negotiates man-to-man instead of one who just prepares the paperwork. They said…” he blushes here, I think a bit of unused to complimenting himself, “that they think I’m really good with people and have the right personality to get what I want without stepping on many toes.”

“I think that’s very true, Benny,” I say, smiling proudly at my friend and slipping my foot away from Luca’s lap to give him a little kick of joy. “You’re going to be amazing at that.”

“Thank you,” he says, settling his shoulders in a very happy, prideful way.

“Mine is way cooler,” Jesse says, sighing happily as he gets to his feet and reaches for my empty plate.

I hand it to him with a smile, encouraging him to continue.

“It’s true,” Ben says with a mock-envious sigh. “Jesse got special forces.”

“Ohhh,” I say, admiringly as Jesse stacks my plate on top of the others and starts to carry the whole set to the dumbwaiter. “What does that mean?”

“No, it’s not,” he murmurs, looking down at his hands even though I can tell that he’s proud as all hell. Pride swells in me too as I watch him – my brother who so rarely accepts a compliment or pats himself on the back, even though he works just as hard as I do. “I probably just got it because I’m the future King – they can’t not give it to me.”

“That’s not true, Rafe,” Luca says, and I look up to see him frowning at my brother. “Don’t sell yourself short. Also, don’t give the Captain that little credit – he’s not in the business of bestowing empty graces in the middle of a war.”

Rafe sighs and nods but doesn’t respond. Still, I can tell that he’s proud of himself. Inwardly, I resolve to find a way, soon, to let him know just how proud we all are of him too – and not just because he’s a prince.

“What about you?” I ask, incredibly excited as I turn my beaming smile on Luca.

But to my surprise, he just looses a long sigh. “As-yet unsorted,” he says, looking at me evenly and shaking his head.

My heart drops. Because even if I don’t quite know what that means…I know by his tone, and the feelings coming down out bond, that it’s not good.