JaDine Oneshots & Drabbles

Your Lullaby (AU)

Nadine's POV

"You... Who are you? What's your name?" That was the first thing he asked me when we first met.

I was very nervous then, I never thought a prince would direct a question at me, a mere servant's child.

I kept my head down as I said, "Nadine Lustre, my lord."

He was quiet for a moment and I waited.

"Raise your head." He said. Even though he was just eight years old, there was authority in his voice. I did as I was told.

He stared right at me, scrutinizing me, it seems. I felt uncomfortable. But before I could look away, his expression soften and he gave me a smile.

"Can you be my friend?" He suddenly asked. "It's just, there are no other kids around here in the palace. Well, except for my brothers."

I was taken aback, but I managed to find my voice.

"I...I am only a servant's child." I said.

He raised a brow at me, and I inevitably felt scared.

"Are you opposing me?" He asked, cooly.

"No." I said hastily. "I apologize." I said bowing low.

Another pause and then he said, "Look at me."

Slowly, I raised my head and looked at him once more.

"Please be my friend?" He asked this time.

I didn't know what to do. I knew my place. I knew how different our worlds are and a friendship between a prince and a mere servant is unthinkable. But I also knew not to oppose the prince's wishes.

I was about to speak -what, I didn't know- but I was saved the necessity with the prince speaking once more.

"Let me correct myself." He said looking at me sternly. "I order you to be my friend." He said trying to look severe, but not quite managing it.

"Of course, sir." I decided to say. I can never object to a prince's direct order, even if I still think that a friendship between us is impossible. "I will do as you please." I said.

And then, he suddenly smiled looking very happy.

"My second order," He said, still grinning. "Call me James."

-

What he said was true. There weren't any other children in the palace except for myself and for the princes. And unimaginably, we did became friends.

After our initial meeting, he had made to go by the servant's room to call me. He would lead me to their backyard and invite me to play with him. The first few times, I was as rigid as I have been the first time we talked but as time pass, I became more and more comfortable until I can finally acknowledge that yes, he is my friend.

It was an honor to be considered a friend by one of the princes. I, whose whole family have served the Reid family for generations feel very much fortunate. James's friendship was something that could make me forget my exhaustion from work, my worries about my mother.

At the age of eleven, I have started serving the royal family as a kitchen girl in place of my mother who had fallen ill.

"I'm sorry..." I hear my mother murmur as I helped her lay down her futon. As my family have been loyal servants for years, the royal family had given the privelege for my mom to stay at the palace. That way, I could do my work as well as care for my mother. We are very grateful to the king.

"You don't have to apologize, mother." I told her, smiling. I kissed her on her forehead and started singing, just as she did to me when I was little. My mother smiled and started closing her eyes. I kept singing until she fell asleep.