Wicked Games Academy

CHAPTER 4

We left that same day as Clive didn't have more than two sets of outfits to pack and I was letting him borrow my clothing. We took a carriage and it was a hot day with a long trip. I was sweating into my shirt as Clive mentioned I didn't need to dress up for him.

He was still perfect in his loose white shirt rolled up to his elbows. His muscles were there if he moved and I asked if he had been exercising. He noted he sparred with the students left and I realized how easily Clive got along in academy even without me.

The blue sky was pretty as Clive pulled me over the carriage to stare out and we both breathed in the cool air. It felt like a painting and his occasional glances made my heart beat a bit faster. If I caught his eye he giggled, so there was no helping either way.

"Your smile is much better than your frown," Clive said.

I hadn't even realized I was smiling.

We finally reached my house and when Clive stepped off the carriage he looked in awe, nodding although I said nothing. He whispered next to my neck,

"Should I greet your brother now?"

He followed me up the stairs as I smirk.

"Are you nervous? It is the Rottings House, the best knight family in town," I quoted. He only grinned and kissed my nape.

"Clive! Don't you dare!" I turned back to the house, knowing Daniel's curtains were drawn and no one else was in the house but the butler.

"Answer me. Is your brother here yet?" Clive asked as though nothing happened.

"No," I said, and we were in the front hall, Richie appeared so suddenly that I felt myself froze. I cleared my throat and turned to Clive. "This is our butler, Friedrich. We call him Richie. My brother isn't here, I assume?"

Richie began talking.

"Master Daniel is currently in his room, he says if the guest should appear he will greet him at dinner. You are Clive, I assume, who Master Nathan will be partners with? I can give you a tour of the main building and of course your room, I readied the best guest room that oversees the sunrise. If it's too hot you can let me know and I'll move you to another. Master Daniel also wanted to say he would like both of you to bath after traveling as it's been a long day."

"Strange request," Clive answered as Richie went on to my annoyance, he never knew when to stop.

Once I went to a different academy as a child and they laughed because I spoke like Richie with long sentences. Also, having a tutor was considered excessive in academy and my teachers did not like that. I recently stopped once I reached year ten. After all, now it was about the duties of a knight we were learning about, only professors could teach us.

"Let's just do as he requested," I said back to Clive and just as Richie took a breath I pulled Clive away.

"You should bath first," I said to him, "I'll get you something that might fit you and be more formal."

Clive only had white shirts, which was fine for summer, but I chose a black shirt with black tapered pants. It would do better to show his long legs and suit him.

I don't even know why, but soon I was getting five different outfits out for him. Was I enjoying dressing him up?

After I bathed we went to dinner where Daniel sat, already there.

"Good afternoon, Nathan and Clive! I'm Daniel, the second son of the Rottings family."

Daniel was very eye-catching. Our family was full of dark brown hair like mine or black hair like Daniel's, but Daniel grew it into a long ponytail and it hung to his back. He had slicked back his long hair and wore gloves.