The Castle's Cleaning Lady - Twisted Wonderland Reader insert

Chapter 31: I lived bitch

The following checkup for Riddle and [Name] at the infirmary was smooth sailing.

Even though Riddle's blood pressure was slightly higher than average and apart from some cuts and bruises, it was concluded they were perfectly healthy. But by the Seven exhausted. No concussions, no broken bones, not even blot in the lungs to the surprise of everyone present. As if it completely vanished.

With immediate effect, rest was demanded and neither Riddle nor [Name] had the energy to deny it, falling asleep instantly in their respective Infirmary beds under the thin white sheets.

[Name] awoke with a mumble, scrunching her eyes open as morning light filtered on her face, a soft wake-up call in comparison to Vargas' shaking her by the shoulders into next week. Sitting up, she relished in the pleasantly mild temperature, not cold and wet like her dorm as well as the soft coos of morning doves.

She noticed a few things as her brain slowly regained cognitive thought.

Some of which were the cotton and tape on her now heavier arm: a blood test while she was asleep and another being some water by her bedside, which she gratefully drank. Her shoulder didn't hurt and she felt a lot better.

Yet the biggest thing was Riddle was awake, leaning against his pillow beside her, reading a heavy book in the morning glow.

She didn't say anything at first, simply admiring him. She couldn't help it because...

Riddle was just... so stunning?

Perfect hair the shade of fresh strawberries with matching long, lush eyelashes, his beauty baffled her. Not only that but his face was so round, unblemished (Ace's bruise was already gone?!) and soft, with equally round grey eyes, iridescent in the light like opals. The perfect boy. The image of a perfect Ruler for Heartslaybul.

Then, she remembered how his mother had treated him. Someone like him, so terribly... And she decided she had never experienced more hate for a human in her life. Only time could tell if she could forgive such a vile woman.

Though, deciding to not damper their morning, she settled with, "Good morning, Riddle. How you holding up?"

"Oh! Good morning, Prefect. You surprised me!" Riddle startled, not expecting her voice in the slightest. He closed his book, putting it aside as he addressed her. "I'm a lot better now. I hope you're faring as well as I am. This morning is rather lovely. It's a shame we aren't allowed outside until the Nurse discharges us."

Riddle smiled, albeit tense. Within seconds, it descended into a frown.

"But I suppose I am undeserving of such pleasant idle conversation. My recent actions are a testament to that..." Riddle lamented, shuffling across his bed to sit across from her, to fully address her.

"Prefect, I owe you more than an apology," Riddle started deeply, not beating around the bush. "I owe you my endless gratitude and I owe you my life. It's my fault you have blot within you, and though it saved my life from preventing me from succumbing to my magic. The condition... the absolute state I saw you in yesterday because of me, because of MY blot... It's all my fault."

"I am so sorry. Not even a tart at an Unbirthday party can undo such a wrong. Please, forgive me."

Riddle pressed his fist against his chest, lowering his head as if a knight bowing to a king. He refused to look her in the eye, empty chasms of shame and dishonour. And if [Name] concentrated on his figure long enough, she would see him trembling, shaking within his own flesh and blood in penance.

"Uh..."

[Name] honestly didn't know how to respond to this. Awkward, even. Riddle's eloquence and grace for such an apology had thrown her through the wringer and now she felt anything she'd say would sound like an animal attempting human speech for the first time. In summary, fucking awful.

"Uh... thanks? No, wait," she facepalmed. How do you respond to an apology again?

"I understand if you don't forgive me!" Riddle declared rather loudly. Sending [Name] into a panic.

"My guy! Riddle! Relax! I forgive! Stop acting like you're apologising for accidentally killing my cat and stealing his wallet, it's not that deep man!" She pleaded, sweating nervously as she rubbed the back of her neck. "No need to shout..."

He still refused to look her in the eye.

"Riddle, look at me."

Raising his head, those grey opals seized onto her figure. Ashamed but attentive.

"Look, you don't owe me anything. I mean it." [Name] began and before Riddle could tenaciously refuse such a proposition, she interrupted him.

"Hear me out. I don't regret anything I did and you shouldn't feel sorry for me either. I'm the one who chose to absorb your blot and I'm the one who just so happened to save your life, so what? I did it because it was what felt right, to me. Just trust me you'll learn from this, move on and stop being so strict on both your dorm members and yourself. Haven't you all suffered enough?"

At this, Riddle closed his mouth into a taut line. He flushed with confliction as his hands compressed into fists.

He clearly knew the answer but either from pride or shame, he swallowed it harshly down his throat. He couldn't say it. He just couldn't.

Fuck me. Aren't I the one who didn't want to put a damper on this morning? [Name] thought to herself, exhaling heavily at the poor boy in front of her. He still needed that extra push.

"I'll answer that for you, you have. Hearing the things your mother has done to you made me sick. NO ONE should ever treat their child like... like a fucking perfection project," [Name] scowled to the side, scrunching up her nose as if smelling a foul fucking stench.

Reminding herself who this was truly about, she eased her face, her focus unfalteringly on Riddle.

"You are so strong. Stronger than me. To endure such shitting parenting and, yet, you still emerged as a confident and intelligent person. You rise to opportunities and you took the title of Dormleader in the first week! You did that! No one else. That's something to be proud of. Someone strong couldn't do that."

"I did... I did do that," Riddle mumbled, scratching his cheek with a shy smile.

Almost realising what he was doing, Riddle jolted and quickly shook his head, his voice becoming a lot stricter. "S-stop making this about me. As a Dormleader, I have to accept responsibility, especially to an underclassman and someone not a part of my dorm no less, even if you are a Prefect. I have the abilities and importance to repay such a debt. You've saved me. In... more ways than one."

"No, I didn't. It was just your life," she denied.

Riddle was adamant, nevertheless.

"No! Your assistance and aid help me realise my grievances as a Dorm Leader," he replied hotly. "There must be something. My gratitude is not something to waste."

"Ah..."

"I see now," [Name] said, her [Colour] eyes transfixed on him, watching in delight as confusion dawned on him from such a vague comment.

She understood now. His strong commitment, dedication, the utter loyalty in response to a good favour.

"So this is why you're the Dormleader," she said, releasing a short laugh. "I can't believe it... You're absolutely stunning, all the way through."

"I-I- Um, w-what? How did-," Riddle stammered, face glowing with a sanguine blush. The comment clearly threw him in the deep end. "S-stunning? I-"

Completely lost for words, she stole them from him and continued.

"Riddle, forget what you owe and just bake that tart for the Unbirthday Party, that's enough for me," she said, "and call me [Name], Prefect makes me sound like a posh grandma."

"You're..." Riddle managed to breathe, blinking at her in awe. Then, his grey eyes crinkled as he smiled, genuinely. "So... if I were to ever need saving or a blot detox again, would I expect you'd be there?"

"Uh duh, wasn't that obvious? I can't let that shit slide again," She replied. "Who do you think I am? Crowley?"

Riddle couldn't help but laugh, staring at her, completely charmed. Beast tamed even.

"Then, [Name], I'll expect to be depending on you in the future. Thank you."