Grains of Sand
Reading Material
A/N: I'm back again with a new series of ficlets, and they're all about the Figaro twins!
Despite the popular belief that Sabin was as loud as crows fighting over a carcass, what with his gallivanting around the castle, singing at the top of his lungs the arias he had recently seen with his parents and brother or had heard on the radio, and generally making a ruckus wherever he went; Sabin proved to the few who visited the libraries that he could be still and quiet for hours at a time. Often seen in the evening hours long after supper time, the younger prince read large volumes and had a steaming cup of herbal tea or hot chocolate on the small table next to his chair. His dusty slippers rested atop the footrest just in front of the large, squishy armchair, and occasionally, he would take a sip of the hot drink.
Only the scholars and Edgar knew of Sabin's quiet evenings, and smiled when he astonished his parents by correcting the chancellor when it came to history.
One particular evening, long after a hearty meal of roasted ham and vegetables, Edgar decided to visit his brother down in the west library because he had not spoken to him much that day because of their lessons keeping them busy. He left his four-poster bed behind and ventured into the corridor that had been dark for some time now. The youth did not need a candle for he knew the halls like he knew the intricacies of the skin patterns on his hands. He passed a maid who did not even see the blond haired boy with the regal blue ribbons, and padded along in his socks; the stones beneath his feet felt cold.
"Why must castles get so cold and drafty at night?" he wondered, taking a right and went up a flight of stairs.
He had to cross the courtyard in secrecy so the guards wouldn't be alarmed that one of the heirs was out of bed after midnight when their parents believed so strongly that young boys should be in bed, getting a good night's sleep. Edgar was starting to become an insomniac, but he felt fine during the day with only an hour or two of rest.
Ducking in the shadows, he scuttled across the stones and avoided urns with flowers sprouting out of them, and slipped into the west wing of the palace, finding that this section was dark as well. No matter, he found the library open, with a few scholars reading large, dusty books at the tables, all absorbed in the worlds the books presented.
In the corner, hidden by the stacks and tables, Edgar found his brother sipping from his mug, and reading a leather-bound book on martial arts from what the gold-laced letters told him.
"Hello my dear brother, what are you studying tonight?" Edgar whispered, but loud enough to catch Sabin's attention.
His sky blue eyes rose from the pages, smile lines appearing at the corners of his eyes, "I'm reading about martial arts. Fighting techniques and how they make the spirit stronger, and how they help the soul stay pure."
"Why how interesting! That sounds very philosophical indeed," The elder of the twins chimed, his voice like smooth cream.
Sabin grinned, tucking a slip of paper in the fold and snapped the book shut for the moment.
"I wonder what you have been reading lately, brother. You never used to read in your room all alone. I remember you distinctly telling me how you loved my company when you read."
Edgar let out a laugh, shaking his head as he unbuttoned the bottom of his shirt and pulled the cloth up to reveal a pocket sized novel wedged in the brim of his pants. Before Sabin could ask what in blazes it was, his brother pulled the book out and held it up, while stepping closer so Sabin could read the title.
"Inhibitions Unchained," Sabin said slowly, unsure of what to think about such a name for a novel.
Edgar could see that his twin was trying to figure out what kind of story was within the pages of the novel, and decided to read an excerpt to him.
"Mercy, I need you now. Never had I needed a woman's touch more than yours."
"Oh Darin, my heart beats for you. My blood flows for you, of course my love."
Mercy let her hand be guided downwards, trembling with trepidation and anxiety. This was her first time doing anything like this, and now Darin was to teach her the ways of lovers.
It felt warm and har-"
"Edgar! Stop reading, now!" Sabin's face was red with blush, embarrassed for one reason or another, and scrambled out of the library. The remaining scholars gave the prince curious looks as he ran past, then focused their stares back at Edgar, who was chuckling to himself as he tucked the pocket novel back into his pants. He picked up the mug that sat on the table and blew to help it cool some more before taking a long drink. The ribbon-ed young blond sauntered out of the room, resuming his charismatic lop-sided grin.
"Tut tut, young Sabin. Even though we are merely twelve, it is vastly important to study the ways of lovers. Ladies in the future will love me for it."