A/N: Alright, I'm on a roll, at least for DA. I hope I didn't just jinx myself. Happy reading!

Chapter 2: A Big Brother's Antic

9 years later

A shadow crept into the suite of the youngest Cousland, its sleeper unaware of its visitor. The unknown person carefully tiptoed to the bed and placed a small silver bowl on the nightstand. Hadrian shifted in his sleep, causing the visitor to pause and wait for him to settle again. Once Hadrian moved into a comfortable position, the person then carefully placed the small hand in a bowl of hot water that was conveniently laid right next to the nightstand. At first nothing happened, much to the visitor's dismay. Then, a soft moan echoed loudly in the bedroom and the visitor saw Hadrian curl on his side, grinning at the sight of a wet spot pooling around his thighs. He knew the signs of Hadrian waking up: the slight flutter of eyes, a soft groan, and the legs becoming restless. Quickly, he darted out of the bedroom, not wanting to be there when his little brother wakes up.

A sudden shriek pierced the stillness of the early morning hours, waking everybody up, including his parents. Bryce was startled out of his nice dream that had Eleanor in it and doing some very explicit things to him. He grabbed his dirk that was stored away underneath the bed but a hand stayed him, with a soft mumbling coming from his wife.

"…don't bother. It's Fergus giving Hadrian a hard time." She yawned and rolled over to her right side.

"Honey, how?"

"Trust me, my brothers played pranks on each other all the time."

Soft snores emanated from her and Bryce, trusting his wife's words, placed the dirk back to its original place. He curled around his beautiful wife and closed his eyes, letting the smell of her scent waft over him and lull him to sleep. He would definitely have to talk with Fergus about this. But first, sleep.

The other sleepy inhabitants did the very same thing, too used to the pranks that were occurring more and more often. Unfortunately, Fergus was not so lucky in his getaway and, several hours later, found out the hard way that washing out pink dye in his hair was a pain. Of course, the 14 year old perceived that he deserved it and he silently applauded his brother's smart comeback. Once fully dressed in a blue doublet that neatly hung over his pants made out of Antivan silk, he proceeded to head out to the Dining Quarters, where the family was waiting for him. As soon as he entered, everyone stared at him and he immediately knew that there was something wrong. Bryce made a sound that was suspiciously skin to a snicker before quickly composing himself under Eleanor's disapproving stare. Fergus' youngest brother, Hadrian, did his very best to look stoic but, like his father, was not successful either. Instead, he burst out in laughter, holding his head in his hands as he pointed out the new hairstyle his brother wore.

"Sweetheart, you may want to redo your hair with the proper soap." Eleanor said gently to the blushing teenager, who slowly walked back out and then rushed outside to his quarters. "Hadrian, you are going to wash your own sheets, young man."

"Aww, but mum!"

"No buts! If you hadn't tinkered with Fergus' hair soap, he would be washing them instead."

The nine year old sighed and continued eating his breakfast. Before doing so, he caught his father's wink and smiled at his successful attempt in having revenge on his brother.

Preview of Chapter 3: Once a boy reaches his thirteenth year, he undergoes an Initiation Ceremony of the Rite of Passage. Each noble house does this differently and the Couslands are no exception.