The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

And even if a little piece of my attention will be at some restaurant bar downtown, baring my teeth at waitresses....well, Luca doesn't need to know that, does he?This text is © NôvelDrama/.Org.

"He's too good, that boy," mom says, unable to help a little glance over her shoulder back towards the palace, to where Jackson is presumably still inside.

"I know," I say with a sigh, reaching for the car door, which opens before I can reach it, revealing a great deal of light and laughter inside the limousine as our family waits for us. "But...he gets to make his own choices too."

"That's right," she says, leaning forward to press a kiss to my cheek. And then she gives me a little push towards the car, laughing, urging me to get inside and have fun. And so I do.

Inside our limousine the atmosphere is very bright and vivid, and I'm already smiling as the car pulls away.

"Your highness," Ben murmurs from his spot next to me, slipping a glass of white wine into my hands. "I think you were perhaps wanting this."

"Thank you, Benny," I say with a sigh, grinning and putting my head on his shoulder for a second. "You're so thoughtful."

"Yes, well, I remember that one time when my insanely gorgeous mate declined to attend the national sporting event of my insanely gorgeous other mate," he says, his voice soft and whistful. "It was hard."

I burst out laughing and give Ben a hearty smack on the chest, making him grin. He holds my gaze for a second, letting me know that he really does understand and that he's here for me if I need him. I nod, grateful for my pal, and we turn back to the group when hear a loud pop of champagne.

"To Luca Grant!" Roger says across the huge, packed limo, raising the foaming bottle high before starting to pour it out into delicate flutes. "May he make me a great deal of money tonight!"

"You bet again!?" Cora gasps, smacking him and making him spill the champagne a bit.

Roger just grins at her, pouring quickly and passing the glasses around. On his other side, Jesse laughs, clearly enjoying the drama. "I basically had to, Cora," Roger says, looking at her with wide-eyed innocence and glancing my way. "He is Ariel's mate - I have to support the family -"

Cora rolls her eyes at him and turns away, sipping her champagne, but she perks up a bit when Roger murmurs something in her ear about using the winnings to buy her a new beach house. I grin, sipping at my white wine and looking around the limo at my family and friends, my spirits starting to rise.

I turn my head a little with interest when I note that Daphne is seated on Jesse's other side, and that Rafe is on her left. I wonder, passively, what's going on there - because I know they had their little midnight date down in the kitchens but... has that been all?

Or have there been developments of which I have not heard?

As I consider it, studying Daphne and Rafe, my eyes catch again on the color of Jesse's jacket. And I realize that it's almost the perfect companion to Daphne's dress...

Almost as if he...planned that.

My eyes narrow a little and I lean forward a bit, studying further. Did he plan that?

Daphne catches me looking and raises her eyebrow, questioning. I flick my eyes between Rafe and Jesse, asking silently what's going on there.

Daphne goes still for a second but then is suddenly magically distracted, a smirk on her lips as she looks up at the ceiling studying the patterned lights there. I laugh and turn away, letting her have her secrets. For now.

"To Luca!" Dad calls out, raising his glass of champagne after they've all gone around. Mom and I are the last to get them, and I laugh a little as I glance between my two drinks, wondering if I'm going to be drunk before I even arrive at the fight. "And to Moon Valley!" Dad continues. "This is a big night for our family," he says, raising a glass towards me, "but also for our nation. Let's all cross our fingers that Luca shows that Atalaxians what we're made of!"

Everyone cheers, and raises their glasses, and clinks them together. I join in, perhaps more enthusiastic than most, but as I do a little anxiety begins to twist in me. Because there's a great deal riding on my mate today, and he had a rough morning.

I just hope, very much, that he was able to pull himself together in time for this fight, to get his head in the right space. Because I really, really want him to win.

I grin, tossing the rest of my champagne back as the limo pulls up outside the stadium where the fight will be held, my anxiety mixing with my excitement. Because we're here! And we're all about to find out whether Luca's as good as his swagger would have us believe.