Ch. 521..525: The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy Chapter 521-525

Chapter 0521

Luca glances up at me. "Nothing," he murmurs, blushing a little bit as he gathers his book back up. As he does I realize that his actions were not performative or attention-seeking at all, but instead the very real result of very real frustrations.

In a flash, I wonder how and why I didn't feel that down the bond - has he been closing that on me? Or...

"Seriously, Luc," Rafe says from his chair, leaning forward towards him. "What's up?"

"I'm sorry," Luca says, shaking his head and looking down at his book. "I didn't mean to interrupt - just...pretend it didn't happen. Book...slipped out of my hands, is all."

"Luca," Jesse says, quietly closing his own book in his lap and peering at my mate. "We...genuinely want to know. Seriously, four of us are in the same class - maybe we can help."

"In the same class but in vastly different groups," Luca murmurs, looking around the room with a flash of embarrassment at Ben, Daphne, and me. "You guys covered this stuff last semester. Just...I'll figure it out."

"Well, if we already covered it," Jesse says, moving softly as he slips to the floor and moves to Luca's empty side. "Then we can help."

We all sit quietly, Ben pretending to read and Daphne continuing to sew, as Luca sighs and looks back down at his book. "I just...have a lot of trouble understanding these schematics," Luca says with a sigh, putting the book down on the table where everyone can see it. I lean forward a little, peering at the book, confused.

"What is it?" I ask, interested and feeling for my mate, trying to pass encouragement down the bond but feeling it hit a bit of a brick wall. What's up with that, anyway?

"It's...the history of a battle," Luca says, glancing over at me, continuing to sound embarrassed. "The map shows...where the troops were when they started, and where and how they moved, how many troops they lost. And then the textbook poses a question - what's the best thing to do next? And I'm supposed to write a damn essay on what the best move is, and why but..." he sighs, shaking his head and dropping it, looking absolutely defeated. "I just can't make sense of it - I don't understand this map stuff."

"Oh," Jesse says, nodding his

sympathy and reaching for the book, tilting it towards the pair of them. “I mean, it's not instinctual, Luca - ite makes sense that you're struggling with it but it just takes time. It's like learning to decode something, or read a new language - you just have to get used to it, and then it starts to make sense."

Luca grimaces at him a little, like this isn't precisely helpful right now, and Jesse laughs, his eyes crinkling up as he shrugs at Luca. "I'm sorry," he says, "I don't have a better answer than that."

"It's cool," Luca sighs, taking the book back and laying it flat on the table again. "I'm just...screwed."

"You're not screwed," Rafe says

gently from his chair, his deep voice ringing out. We can help you learn it. But actually..." he grimaces now like Luca isn't going to like what he has to say next very much either, "the person who can really help you is?"

Rafe's grimace deepens as, to my surprise, he shifts his eyes to Jackson.

We all go a little still and quiet as each of our gazes moves to my right, to my big tough mate, whose head is down, studying his own book.

Silence rings out in the room for a beat and then Jackson raises his head, looking around in surprise. "Wait, what?"

"Jackson can read a battle map faster and better than anyone I've ever seen," Rafe says, casting a hand out towards Jacks even as he looks at Luca. "He can just...glance at it and know exactly what happened. It's impressive."

Luca scowls, shifting his eyes to Jackson, clearly bitter and a little bit jealous and looking like he's not precisely sure how that information helps him. At all.

Jackson drops his eyes to his lap and gives a little shrug. "It's not a flex or anything - we've been doing it since we were kids. I learned how to read a battle schematic before learned the alphabet. Like Jesse said, it's just...time."

 

Chapter 0522

“Well, I stand by it," Rafe says, settling back into his chair and pretending to turn his attention back to his own homework. "If you want help, Jackson is your man."

The room rings silent for a moment and I keep my eyes on my brother. When Rafe's own eyes flick back up a moment and he glances between Jackon and Luca, I smirk - because I knew he wasn't really reading. He's just as desperate to see how this plays out as I am.

The silence soon grows...awkward...as Luca sits, scowling at the book, and the rest of us just...wait.

"Look, man," Jackson says, low and serious, "I'd be happy to talk you through it if you think it'd be helpful. But it's also fine to figure it out yourself."

Luca heaves a big sigh and grabs his book up, looking over at Jackson but appearing none too happy about it as he gives in. “Fine,” he says, his mouth twisting a bit. “If I don't get help I'm going to fail this assignment, and I'd prefer not to do that, so...can you make any sense of this?”

I watch in a bit of awe as Luca passes his book across me and into Jackson's hands.

“Oh, yeah,” Jackson says, his eyebrows going up and his face brightening. “The battle of Thrimpole. This is...this is actually a fun one." "Awesome," Luca says, totally dry, his tone implying that he thinks it's the opposite.

Jackson looks over at me for the first time and clears his throat a little, expectant. I stare at him for a second and then realize what he wants. Instantly, I scramble backwards, taking my own book with me, and then I hop to my feet, moving to the couch where Daphne and Ben make a little room for me between them.

Luca and Jackson move a little closer together, bending over the book, and I watch in awe as the two of them...start to work together.

Because I never, ever thought I'd see it.

"Close your mouth," Ben whispers next to me, giving me a little nudge with his elbow.

I look over at him and then laugh

when I realize that I actually am gaping. I snap my mouth shut and both of my mates glance up at me simultaneously and then back towards their work. Shaking my head, I lean against Daphne, not even bothering to pretend to look down at my own homework.

"You're going to embarrass them," she whispers, keeping her own eyes on her sewing.

"Oh whatever," I murmur back. "I'm not missing this."

As I watch, Jackson asks Luca some questions about the schematic, working to see what Luca does and does not understand. As they talk quietly, I realize how naturala teacher Jackson actually is - especially with this stuff, which he knows like the back of his hand. In no time, Jackson has a pretty strong command of Luca's abilities and begins to show him what else he needs to know.

But, as they work, it's immediately clear that Luca grows frustrated – not with Jackson, but with himself.

"Look, I just don't get it," Luca says,

sighing and leaning back on one hand as he gestures to the map with the other. "I know what the red

et

arrows mean, I know what they're supposed to tell me and the order in which they progress. I just don't....see it the way you do - the battle, in your head." He clenches his teeth and takes a deep breath through his nose, hanging his head a bit. "I'm never going to get this."

"Yes you are," Jackson says, frowning at Luca. "Look, if you don't get it this way, let's just...try something else."

And then, to my delight and surprise, Jackson glances back at the nook and then up at me, asking the one question which the nerdly little bookworm in me has been waiting years to be asked.

"Hey, do you think we could borrow some school supplies?"

"Yes," I breathe, delighted, a huge smile taking over my face. "Yes, of course! What do you need?"

Chapter 0523

We all give up pretending to study as Jackson comes back from the nook with some paper, some markers, and some tape, and - bizarrely - two different kinds of candy that my mom sent back to school with me, knowing they're my favorite. Quietly, we all watch as Jacks hastily tapes four pieces of paper to the table and then uses a marker to deftly reproduce the schematic map, effectively blowing up the scale so that he and Luca can see it better.

I learn forward with interest, then, when Jackson opens the candy, scatting it out over the paper and arranging the two different kinds - peppermints and caramel chocolates - on different points.

Anxiety starts to well in me that he'll ruin the candy, getting ink all over them, but Jackson glances up once, raising an eyebrow at me, sending a teasing little bump down our bond to tell me that my priorities are in the wrong place right now.

I fight my laugh, knowing that he's right, nodding and leaning back onto the couch cushions with my arms folded, watching carefully - just like everyone else in the room, even though I don't think Jackson has noticed.

"All right," Jackson says, glancing at Luca as he points at the peppermints first. "These are the Floutian troops, and these," he says, gesturing towards the chocolates, “are the Thrimpolites. This is where they're set up at the start of the battle – on either side of the river. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah, sure," Luca says, leaning forward with interest now, observing the board.

Then, to my delighted surprise, Jackson begins to narrate the battle according to the lines of the schematic, demonstrating how the peppermint team moved against the chocolates, how the chocolates defended. Each time a team loses troops – also noted on the map in numbers – he takes a few candies away, setting them deftly to the side.

My mouth falls open again as Jackson actually demonstrates how the map contains the entire story of the battle - how the armies moved against each other, what choices their commanders made, how they came to a stalemate once the Floutians crossed the river, both sides ensuring their destruction if they push any further. And a glance over at Ben and Daphne reveals that they, too, have given up all pretense at work, all of us leaning forward with interest to study the map with candy scattered strategically across it.

And honestly, even as I'm fascinated, I'm...jealous.

Jealous as hell because - this is so cool! I scowl a little, though I do my best to keep it private because this is all information I want as well, and neither my previous or my current education gave me this.

But there's no real time to be bitter as Jackson moves on with the lesson.

"So, this is where the schematic stops," Jackson says, dropping his hands into his lap and studying the map with interest before looking over at Luca. "And you have to write an essay on what you would do next, if you were commanding the troops. Did...did that make sense to you?"

"Well, obviously it all makes sense now, when I see it playing out over time," Luca says, excitement and frustration both in his voice as he leans forward and studies the table.

"Yeah, you've just got to learn how to do that in your head," Jackson murmurs, leaning back on his hands and giving Luca the space to study the board. "Like Jesse said, it's just time But, I mean, we can work on it. I love this stuff - I'll talk you through any battles you want until you can do it in your sleep."

“Thanks,” Luca says absently, leaning forward more to study the candy.

"So, any ideas?" Jackson asks after a beat, sitting up and leaning forward too.

I glance over at Rafe, laughing

inwardly at the smug smile on his face as he and Jesse likewise watch. But we all stay quiet as Luca offers some tentative suggestions, clearly experimenting with the deas like he's supposed to - trying a couple of different options for what the Floutian commander could try that wouldn't result in the death of all of his troops.

At each new suggestion, Jackson calmly and simply moves the pieces for Luca, demonstrating how it would play out. As he does, I turn my head to the side, seeing why this particular battle was assigned. Because honestly, any way that Luca plays it... it feels like the Floutians are screwed.

“So, what," Luca sighs, his words bitten out a bit. "Anything I do and my men are dead? Is there any way out of this?"

"I think that's the conclusion the assignment wants you to reach," Jackson says quietly. "At least, every time I've studied the battle, the discussion has

ended up being not about who wins but how to minimize casualties as you attempt to withdraw so the army can try again."

 

Chapter 0524

“Well, that's shit,” Luca murmurs, narrowing his eyes at the map. “A battle schematic where there's just no chance at winning? I...I hate that.”

"Yeah, but that's war," Jackson murmurs, nudging the candies back into place with his fingertip. "Sometimes you get to the point where it's not about winning. Just...surviving to fight another day."

My stomach sinks as I process his words because...I mean, the lesson that Luca is learning today is a very real one - he's learning it because we all, one day, might have to put it into action in real life.

But.....but not us, right? Not me, not my friends? My heart sinks as I look around at everyone, thinking about heavy casualties, thinking about losing them -

But a tug down my bond to Jackson draws my eyes back to him, to find his gaze already locked on my face. Slowly, gently, he shakes his head no, sending a wave of calm and peace down our bond, assuring me that he's never going to let it happen.

My lips lift into a tenuous smile as I hold his eyes. He smiles back and hope blooms in me because, as foolish as it probably is to believe anyone when they make a promise about surviving a war...I believe Jacks. I believe in him.

He only breaks our gaze when Luca sits up straight.

"Well," Luca says, his voice suddenly sparking with new interest. "What if you just...look it like that the odds are 50/50. That you're either going to die and lose everyone...or, you're going to win." Quite quickly, excited, Luca begins to narrate a crazy plan for what the Floutians could do if they just threw everything they had at the problem - just went full force, knowing that the result was potential full destruction.

We all lean forward, watching him move the pieces around, fascinated because...well, the way he puts it...

Damn it, but it really seems like it could work.

When Luca finally pulls his hands away, demonstrating the way that the much-reduced Floutians could, potentially, surround the Thrimpolites and force their surrender, we're all looking at the table in silence with raised eyebrows.

Jackson stays completely still,

likewise studying the board, before turning a warm gaze on Luca. "You should write that up," he says, laughing a little. "I mean, I've studied this battle a dozen times, and no one has ever brought anything up like that. It's crazy, for sure - I don't know any general that would approve it but maybe? If a nation were at the end of its rope, looking for some kind of last-ditch crazy effort to stay alive? I mean...it could work."

To my surprise and my endless pleasure, Luca holds Jackson's gaze for a second before his face breaks into a dazzling smile. “Really, man?”

My wolf turns in frantic, hectic

circles in my heart, chasing her tail eagerly, looking for something to do with all the energy and love that's bursting through her right now. Surreptitiously, I dampen my bonds with both of my mates, wanting them to have this moment for themselves without me bursting through with a song and a dance about how happy it makes me to see them working together.

"Seriously, Luca," Jackson says, reaching out a hand and clapping it warm on his shoulder. "You're not bad at this you have some really weird, good ideas. Unique ones. Don't get down on yourself for not understanding the maps yet that a little credit and have faith. And we'll help you whenever you need it."

will come. Just...give ye

Jackson casts a hand around at the rest of the room and Luca looks up in surprise to see us all watching, smiling at him. He laughs a little bit, bashful, and runs a hand through his hair, looking down at his map.

"All right,” Luca says on a satisfied sigh. "Cool. Well, thanks, Jackson. I owe you one."

“Just teach me your right hook," Jackson murmurs, quite casual, picking up his own book and going back to his homework. "We'll call it even.”

Luca laughs, nodding, and pulls out his notebook, getting started on his report like nothing happened.

But I can't stop smiling as I look at the two of them, sitting next to each other, because right now? It feels like...absolutely everything has changed.

Chapter 0525

Even as everyone returns to their homework, though, my eyes keep darting back to the little pile of chocolate on the side of the map. Delicately, working hard to use my espionage skills, I casually lean forward and slip my hand out -

Only for Luca to swat it away. I gasp in shock, mock appalled.

"Hands off," Luca murmurs, not looking at me as he looks down at the notebook in which he hastily writes. "I'm using those."

"They're mine!"

"You can wait, Ariel!" he says, laughing a little, “until I'm finished!"

"But I want one now," I moan, truly craving the little treat. "Can't I just have one of the dead troops!?"

"No!" Luca replies, laughing and glancing up at me, "I might need to set up the scenario again. Just...have a little patience, please."

“I have some of those," Daphne says at my side, and I turn to her with interest. “They're down in my room. If you're really dying for one, we could go down there?"

"Yes!" I say, jumping to my feet, instantly eager.

"Ariel, by the time you get down there and back up Luca will be finished -" Rafe says on a sigh, holding out a pleading hand towards me.

"No, I won't!" Luca calls, still looking down at his paper. "Slow writer!"

"Oh, it will take five minutes," Daphne says, putting her sewing into its basket and reaching out to take my hand. "Besides, I could use the chance to stretch my legs."

"But," Rafe sputters out, looking anxiously between us, "it's dangerous -"

"Rafe," she says, laughing, "I wander around this castle all the time, and I'm always fine -"

"But Ariel!"

"I'll go too," Ben says, neatly closing his book and standing up, stretching his arms over his head as he smiles as Daphne as me. "As the muscle. I'm always down for a late-evening chocolate run."

Daphne and I beam at Ben as Rafe sighs, turning towards Jesse. "Seriously, Jess?" Rafe asks, holding a hand out towards the three of us. "Nothing? No support on this?"

Jesse flicks his eyes up to Rafe for a mere second his face stony. “If it were just Ariel, cousin, I'd refuse in a moment because I enjoy seeing her suffer. But I'm under a sincere oath to deny Daphne nothing in this world. As such," he says, giving a dramatic sigh as he nestles back into the cushions of his chair, "my hands are tied."

Rafe groans, rolling his eyes, as my little trio of adventure seekers head towards the door. Luca waves to us over his shoulder as Jackson sends a warm pulse down the bond, encouraging me to have fun and be safe in his own little way.

Smiling, I slip out the door with Ben and Daphne on either side, and we hurry down the hall towards the stairs, Daphne swinging her sewing basket happily in her hand.

"You know, I'm a very strong hand-to-hand expert now, Benny," I say, smugly raising my chin. "You barely had to come for protection. Just for Daphne's sake."

"Oh believe me," he says, looking at me with wide, honest eyes. "I'm only in it for the chocolate, Ariel. Jackson really worked up an appetite in me, narrating all that death and

el?

destruction while moving the candy around the board with those broad hands..."

et

Daphne and I both burst out laughing and Ben grins at us as we all cheerfully move forward, chatting idly as we go down the stairs and then into an elevator that takes us down to Daphne's floor. When we get to her door and she quickly opens it with a tiny key, I'm charmed again by her little room so neat and tidy, with her sewing machine in the corner.

"Come in," Daphne says, waving us forward. "It will take me a minute to find the candy in all of my boxes - plus, I never have guests."