✿༺ 𝐋𝐎𝐓𝐔𝐒 ༻✿ [𝐕𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒]

Book 1 chapter 25

"Happy eighth birthday, Riddle.
This year's birthday cake is a low-sugar recipe made with nuts and lecithin-rich soy flour to improve your cerebral function."

A woman with bright red hair and dark red lips spoke, setting down a sore excuse of a cake before a young boy.

"Thank you. But, Mom...
Just once, I'd like to try one of those tarts covered with bright-red strawberries..." a young Riddle begun with a hopeful expression

"Absolutely not! Those tarts are monstrously unhealthy. I might as well feed you poison!
Even just a single slice would exceed your recommended daily intake of sugar.
Now, dinner tonight will be a tuna sauté rich in DHA and omega-3 fatty acids.
Now that you're eight, your caloric intake should
be 600 kilocalories per meal, so don't eat more than 100 grams of it.
Understood?"

Riddles mother commanded.
Looking at the young boy as if daring him to defy her.

"Yes, Mom." The eight year old Riddle spoke, disappointedly

"I'd always wanted to try one of those tarts
with the bright-red strawberries.
The local cake shop had them in the window. They shined at me like forbidden jewels."

The present Riddle narrated as he stared at the memory in sadness.

"That's enough classical magic study for today.
Your homework is to read the first fifty pages of the philosophy of language book referenced in today's magical philosophy texts.
You may now have one hour of independent study before your potionology lesson."

Riddles mother commanded as she walked out of the large study hall in their mansion like house.

"Thank you, Mother." The young riddle spoke, looking down at his books.

"I need some time to prepare the lesson materials. I will see you in one hour, okay?" His mother told him before walking out of the hall.

"I was studying every possible subject,
scheduled down to the minute.
When I didn't understand something, the lesson was extended until I did.
That was
my "normal.""
The present Riddle narrated once again, the memory drawing closer to his regret.

*knock*
*knock*

"...Is someone knocking on the window?" Young riddle asked, his gaze tearing away from the book and to the window.

"Whoa, he heard us!" A young trey whisper shouted

"Hey, come play with us!" A young Che'nya offered, knocking on the window again

"Who are you?" Riddle asked cautiously, moving towards the window

" I'm Che'nya, and that's Trey. Let's all play croquet! Oh, but it's LOTS of fun!" Che'nya spoke up in his childish voice

"I can't. I'm supposed to be doing independent study, and I have a lot of homework to do." Young riddle declined

""Independent study" means you pick what to do, right? My grandpa says play is a form of study!" Che'nya tried to coax

"Just play with us for a little bit!" Trey pleaded

" ...O-okay... Just a little, though!" Riddle caved, climbing out the window

"Hey, what's your name?" Young trey asked

"R-Riddle. Riddle Rosehearts."

" I had the best time playing with Trey and Che'nya.

We did so many things I'd never done before. They taught me lots of things I didn't know.

After that, I snuck out of my room every day To play with them
during independent study time."