The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 756

“Hi! Hi cuties!” Mom’s voice rings out the moment the five of us troop into the room. The Captain enters too, going to stand out of sight in the corner. “It’s so good to see you, I – oh!”

I frown when I see her go a bit still on the video screen, seated there next to Cora with dad and Roger standing behind them, bending down so that their faces are in the frame.

“What’s wrong, mom?” I ask.

“It’s not what’s wrong with me, it’s what’s wrong with those two.” She narrows her eyes and looks interestedly between Rafe and Jesse, who come to stand behind me. “What’s wrong, boys?”

Neither Rafe nor Jesse say a word, each looking away. Cora grimaces, worried.

“There’s no time for this,” dad sighs, shaking his head and likewise peering at us from the screen as Jackson goes to one knee at my side and Ben leans down on my other. “We have to –“

“Why are you all dressed up?” I ask, tilting my head, frowning at them. Every single one of them are in state dress, dad and Roger with black sashes across their chest. But why would they –

My mouth falls open as I realize what it must be.

“Funeral got moved to today, sweetie,” mom says, leaning forward to peer at me. “We’re sorry – we knew you’d want to attend, but your father wanted you at school.”

“And we’re leaving for the front immediately after,” dad snaps, nodding seriously to all of us. “And we want the five of you there.”

My eyes go wide as I glance up at Rafe and Jesse, who look at each other for the first time. Whatever’s going on between them, they’re clearly putting it aside for the sake of the war.

“What’s going on, dad?” Rafe says.

“Yes sir,” Rafe says, answering for the rest of us, who just nod. “We understand. We’ll be on the battlefield as soon as you need us.”

“Good,” dad says on a sigh. “We’re going to go. We’ll see you soon. We…” he hesitates now, and I see a muscle flicker in his cheek. “We love you very much.”

“We love you too, dad,” I say, leaning forward, eager for him to know and understand it. “All of you. You can count on us.”

“You probably have an hour to pack,” he says, nodding once. “Helicopter on the roof.” Then he leans forward, flicking off the screen.

The five of us exhale, looking around at each other as the Captain comes forward from the corner of the room. “Are you ready for this?” he asks, tense. “This isn’t a trial or a place-filler, like the last battle was supposed to be. If you five don’t have your heads on right, I’m not sending you to get killed. So if they’re not, you tell me now.”