Wicked Games Academy

CHAPTER 34

We bid goodbye to the families, and Heloise gave me a handkerchief dabbed in perfume as a popular gesture in Goldenvale for those who marry knights. I thought it was imprudent and ignored it.

Clive and I returned to Graycotts and soon life resumed a strange sort of routine although we were back for only a few days.

Will grew a bit of hair, as did the others who lost. Hale and Cory bragged about their winter adventures. Cory was slyly telling us how he was talking to a beautiful girl after bumping into each other in town. Hale, on the other hand, caught a glimpse of His Majesty at an opera.

We returned to the lounge where a lot of eleventh years were chattering. School was ending and in the meantime we kept up with our exercises. The hunt was over and done with, and instead of playing chess by ourselves in the corner, Will and I upgraded to the seats with Clive, Cory, and Hale.

We played cards and loser would recite some Latin so we learned in that way. I watched as the boys recited from the book we read, and I admired Clive's side profile and long, swan-like neck. I wondered how his language sounded.

Within a week, though, the bliss was broken. The Headmaster called us and as we changed that night I was afraid to speak.

If I spoke, maybe Clive would realize how much danger he was in, how he couldn't lie for my sake.

Clive turned to me and held out a hand.

"Let's go, Nell," he whispered, his mask hiding his true expression. I put the mask on and took his hands.

We walked, and as we went down the gray halls I thought of how I had changed. I had began to actually think.

It is natural that rebels existed, that some citizens do not like how Goldenvale is trying to gain land as the cost of lives. If Jonathan didn't come home one day, would I not mourn and despise the system?

Father, however, could definitely have pulled strings so Jonathan didn't need to fight in dangerous battles but be the head commander. Either way, I wondered if it was actually worth it.

The war that we've been in is a war on countries but Goldenvale. We are never attacked—because they conquered the weak. If so, did it matter to kill rebels in our country?

Should we not focus on the war instead of killing our own people?

I found it all confusing but gripped Clive's hand tightly as we walked into the office I loathed.

The white mask greeted us.

"Greetings, Nell, Five. What are your reports concerning the incident at the Rottings House?" he asked casually.

"There is no indication there is rebel activity," Clive said. "Nell, tell him about your brothers."

"Both brothers are not lying, butler included. They seem unaware because we are far from the back door, the servants' quarters. Our butler, however, lives in a different room," I said honestly.

"Then what of the guests?"

The Headmaster was like a mind-reader. I was sure I didn't tell him about that.

"Well, some guests seem suspicious. The Wordsworth house sent their son along," Clive lied to him. "Kane Wordsworth. The sister seemed more ignorant."

He was even protecting Christa Wordsworth, maybe for Jonathan. And me.

I dared to look at the Headmaster but he was looking at his desk, deep in thought.

"There's going to be a lot more rebels for the two of you to help with, my twelth years have to prepare for the knight exam." He tapped a pen lightly on his desk. "I'll put the Rottings family aside for now, maybe assign someone to keep watching. If I feel it is required, I will leave Nell out of future contact with this case."