The youngest wizard in twisted wonderland

Chapter 29: The riddle behind Riddle.

Note: I DO NOT OWN TWISTED WONDERLAND: DISNEY!

Chapter 29: The riddle behind Riddle.

----------------------

After a tiring day of school, we search for Trey all over the school grounds, till we realise that Trey has yet to return the cookbook that we had used to make the Mont Blanc tart. So we wait for him at the library.

"There you are, Clover-senpai!" declares Deuce with finality.

Trey looks slightly startled to be confronted by us the moment he steps into the library, "Oh, it's you guys..."

"We figured that you'd come to the library to return the cookbook for the Mont Blanc and we camped here," Deuce responds, before Trey passes the book through the library book-return chutes.

"Look here. We really can't agree with how Riddle's doing things at the dorm," Ace huffs in annoyance. "Wearing this collar is really weighing on me."

Trey gives a tired sigh, as he replies: "...I bet."

"What do you really think about him? Since you were a kid, have you always been so subservient to him?" prods Ace.

Trey looks at us for a moment in shock. "Who did you hear that from?"

"From a guy named Che'nya," explains Deuce.

"Che'nya...Ah, that guy." Trey's expression changes to mild annoyance as if it's not his first time popping out of nowhere in school.

"Aren't you older than Riddle? Just get angry at him," suggests Grim. It doesn't seem that hard.

"I'd do it, if I felt it was necessary. But... I can't bring myself to scold him," Trey mutters with a sad smile.

"Why!?" snaps Ace.

"Everything Riddle does is all about following strict rules. That was just how he was brought up," Trey explains.

"Huh...?" utters Deuce in confusion.

Hearing about strict rules makes me queasy in my gut. I shake my head. Now is not the time to think about the past, gotta focus on the situation in the here and now.

"In his homeland, there isn't a single person who hasn't heard of Riddle's parents. As healers, they're that famous. His mother is especially exceptional and she wanted Riddle to be exceptional as well. So from dawn till dusk, his every move was decided for him, down to the smallest thing," Trey recounts.

"Down... to the smallest thing?!" repeats Grim in disbelief.

Trey nods sadly. "Yep, from what he ate, what he wore, what he did, all the way to who his friends were. Everything was decided for him. Riddle never said a word. Instead, he strived to meet those expectations and mastered his unique magic at the tender age of 10. On top of that, he has maintained his spot at the top since elementary school. I can't even begin to imagine how difficult that must have been. Riddle thinks being bound by strict rules is for one's own benefit. He was bound by harsh rules and became a leader, so he believes it works for everyone. Anyone can become like him and that means breaking the rules is utterly unacceptable." Trey finishes.

Once Trey has finished his story, we all remain quiet

"Ffnaa..." sighed Grim sadly.

"Riddle has a past like that..." said Deuce rather sadly too.

I agree,"Ok, so Riddle has had it rough with his parents." But I also point out our predicament: "What about the collars on their necks?"

Suddenly, a wave of realisation comes over Ace's face:"After hearing all this, there can be only one logical conclusion. The way Riddle is now is basically your fault."