"You should. No matter what happened in the past, you are Tom's child after all. You do have the right to meet him," Master Riddle said helplessly.
Dumbledore added, "Actually, you don't need to be so afraid of us. We mean no harm."
"Well... I can see that," Master Riddle admitted. "Otherwise, according to what Tom told you before... I might have died at the door..."
"What happened back then... I heard some things from people outside, but I don't know the details..." Dumbledore suddenly asked.
Although Tom looked uninterested on the surface, he immediately straightened up when he heard Dumbledore's question. He didn't want to rely on speculation or rumors. He needed the truth from someone who was there.
Was it his mother's fault?
Why did his father abandon him and his mother?
Master Riddle pondered for a moment, then said, "Before I tell you, can you show me... that kind of... witchcraft? Yes, in fact, at the beginning, I thought what Tom said was just nonsense—maybe something he imagined in a moment of madness."
Master Riddle's fear of wizards mostly came from his son's exaggerated statements.
He had always been skeptical.
Was he really captured by a witch? Wasn't he just delusional?
It was only when his son gradually recovered that Master Riddle began to believe him. That was why, upon meeting Dumbledore and the others, he was filled with awe rather than outright hostility.
He was a businessman—when you don't know someone's strength, it's best to be cautious.
"Of course..." Dumbledore said, moving his fingers slightly.
Then, the pipe in Master Riddle's hand floated into the air and transformed into a rose.
Master Riddle's eyes widened in shock. Trembling, he reached out to take the rose, inspecting it over and over again. It was undoubtedly real.
"This... how is this done?" he asked, amazed.
"It is magic, Mr. Riddle," Dumbledore answered gently.
A second later, the rose in his hand turned back into a pipe, still lit, as if nothing had changed.
In the past, Master Riddle might have called this an excellent magic trick.
But now, after witnessing his son's condition, he knew better—this was real.
With a deep breath, Master Riddle finally began to speak.
"Well... this is what happened," he said.
"My son, Tom Riddle, was once engaged to Miss Rivell of Great Hangleton. He often rode there to visit her.
"But each time he passed a rundown cabin, he would see a girl smiling at him. Out of politeness, he would smile back...
"One day, as he passed by, he felt thirsty. The girl offered him a glass of water.
"After drinking it... he fell desperately in love with her. He abandoned his fiancée and secretly married the girl in that cabin. A whole year passed like this.
"Then, one day... it was as if he had woken from a dream.
"He realized his love for the girl had been like a mirage. He was confused, terrified—until she confessed the truth. She was a witch. She had used magic to keep him by her side. Now that she was pregnant, she removed the spell, hoping he would stay with her willingly.
"But Tom was horrified. He ran back home, afraid she would control him again."
Master Riddle sighed.
"When he returned, he was no longer the same. He had once been arrogant, yes, but also cheerful. After this, he barely left the house, fearing she would come for him.
"So, when he heard that a child looking exactly like him had appeared, he was so terrified that he locked himself away and refused to come out."
As Master Riddle finished, Dumbledore and Robert turned to look at Tom.
Tom clenched his fists, his expression unreadable.
Silence filled the carriage.
But it didn't last long.
The carriage stopped.
The old butler's voice came from outside.
"Master, we have arrived."
Master Riddle nodded. "Please step out... Apologies, but to ensure I understood your situation, I instructed the butler to circle the manor a few times before bringing us back."
As Robert stepped out, he noticed men moving in a nearby house—men holding weapons.
Clearly, if Master Riddle had felt threatened by them, bullets would have been their response.
"Please, come in," Master Riddle invited.
Inside the grand mansion, an elegantly dressed woman stood by the sofa, clutching a cross in her hand.
"Caroline, don't worry," Master Riddle said. "They mean no harm. And this child... yes, he is truly Tom's."
"This is my wife, Caroline. Please forgive her. She is as frightened as Tom..."
Mrs. Riddle observed Dumbledore and the others before finally relaxing.
Tea was served. Master Riddle explained the purpose of their visit.
"That... woman. Is she really dead?" Mrs. Riddle asked hesitantly.
"I'm sorry to ask, but... she brought nightmares to our family for years, especially to Tom."
Now that he knew the truth, Tom felt less resentment.
Was his mother truly at fault?
Even if he wanted to be angry, neither Dumbledore nor Robert would support him.
"Yes," Tom finally said. "She died... right in front of the orphanage. She gave birth to me in the snow, handed me to Mrs. Cole, then... she died."
Mrs. Riddle was silent for a long time.
"Child... may I ask your name?" she finally said.
"Tom Marvolo Riddle," Tom answered. "Marvolo was my grandfather's name. My mother gave it to me before she died."
Mrs. Riddle sighed as if something clicked in her mind.
"Let Tom come downstairs," she instructed the butler. "And tell him—the woman who gave him nightmares is gone."
The butler hurried upstairs.
Master Riddle turned to Tom.
"Since you grew up in an orphanage... what is your relationship with this gentleman?" he asked, gesturing to Dumbledore.
"I am the child's professor," Dumbledore explained. "Wizards have schools, where we teach young ones how to control their magic without harming others."
"So that's how it is..." Master Riddle mused.
The two old men began discussing wizards, and Master Riddle realized not all wizards were evil. They hid from Muggles for their own safety and were governed by the Ministry of Magic.
Robert glanced at Tom, who remained silent, lost in thought.
He nudged him. "Hey, Tom, this visit went smoother than your trip to the Gaunt house, huh?"
Tom scoffed. "Because they fear us, they're willing to talk. Unlike my uncle—who, even though he's a failure, is still a wizard."
"Isn't that good?" Robert grinned. "At least they won't plot against you secretly."
"They might just shoot me instead..."
"Huh? You noticed that too?"
Tom smirked but said nothing.
Just then, the butler returned and whispered to Master Riddle.
His expression darkened.
"What nonsense is he saying now?" Master Riddle stood abruptly. "I'll bring him down myself!"
Tom rose. "Forget it. This was my mother's fault. If he doesn't want to see me, that's fine."
Understanding his past had changed Tom.
Once, he hated his Muggle blood and sought pure-blood status. But now, he thought differently.
What did blood status matter?
Strength was all that mattered.
Hadn't he already defeated his so-called "pure-blood" uncle?
He looked at Robert.
"What?" Robert asked, puzzled.
"Nothing..."
Tom turned to Master Riddle. "Since he doesn't want to see me, I'll leave. Don't worry—I won't return to trouble you."
Master Riddle swiftly stepped in front of him.
"Wait. Tom... if I may call you that."
He took a breath.
"Forget the past. If you're willing... Riddle Manor is still your home."
Tom frowned. "Why? Shouldn't you want me gone?"
Master Riddle sighed.
"I don't expect instant family bonds. But emotions can be cultivated. I only ask for a chance."
Tom considered.
Then he smirked.
"You just said you were very rich, right?"
Master Riddle chuckled.
"Not just rich—very rich!"
Tom smiled.
"It's not about money. I just want to experience what family feels like."
(End of Chapter)
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