Twenty-one years ago in the human realm
Little giggles can be heard from Cecilia, a young witch who has already started to show signs of extraordinary power. Her mother, Mrs. Mwape, and her best friend Mrs mwale watch her in awe as the one-year-old girl suspends her toys in the air using her magic.
"She is going to be a force to reckon with," Mrs. Mwale says to her best friend of twenty years, Mrs Mwape.
"I know Regina, and I am also worried about her. Her magic has manifested too early. She is only a year old. Her magic was not supposed to show until she turned five years old." Mrs Mwape says to her friend looking at her one-year-old daughter with concern.
Mrs mwale nods in understanding."Cecilia is a gifted child, Rita, you know some witches' magic manifests early. Remember lord Phiri whose magic manifested when he was two years old. He became the most powerful warlock to ever live." Mrs. Mwale says trying to comfort her friend even though she was worried herself.
"You are right Regina, I am just overthinking things. Jacob has gotten in my head with his talk about the prophecy that I have started to believe him. I am losing my mind with everything that's happening." Mrs. Mwape says in frustration.
"If Cecilia is the child of the prophecy then we will protect her. You don't have to worry Rita, you know that I love you like a sister and will not let anything happen to your daughter." Mrs. Mwale says.
"Thank you, Regina, I don't know what I would do without you. You make it easy for me to stay so far away from home." Mrs. Mwape says hugging her friend.
"It's going to be okay Rita, I promise." Mrs. Mwale says, rubbing her friend's back.
"Look at me talking about my problems instead of asking how you are feeling. I am here to cheer you up and yet you are the one doing it. I am sorry"
"It's okay Rita, you don't have to apologize. I am glad you and Jacob have come. I was starting to lose my mind because of Mike's protectiveness."
"He loves you and he is scared to lose you."
"I know but sometimes he overdoes it. I know this hurts him as much as it does me. This is not the first time that I have miscarried but it still hurts the same Rita. Every time I get pregnant I ask the gods to protect my child but they never seem to hear my pleas." Mrs. Mwale says tears coming out of her eyes.
"I am so sorry Regina. I can't even imagine how much pain you are going through. I want you to know that you are not alone. I will always be there for you and I believe that the gods will hear your pleas one day." Mrs. Mwape says hugging her friend tightly. The two women hold each other for some time comforting one another.
"Okay, ladies food is ready, you can move to the dining room." Mr Mwale says as he lifts Cecilia from the floor.
As they sit down to start eating, the doorbell rings.
"I will go check who it is." Mr. Mwale says getting up from the chair.
Opening the door, Mr mwale finds a pregnant woman looking pale. He can tell by her aura that she is from a powerful lineage. Mr. Mwale can sense no threat from her. As a guardian of magical beings, Mr. Mwale can sense danger from a mile away. The woman in front of him might be powerful but does not intend to cause him harm.
"How are you ?" Mr. Mwale greets.
"I am fine, thanks. Are you lord lungu?" the woman asks startling Mr Mwale who has not heard anyone call him by that name for ten years. If this woman knows his old name then it's either she is an enemy or coming to him will bring trouble which he has been trying to avoid for the past ten years. Even though he can't sense any danger from her, he can't just trust her.
"I think you are at the wrong address. My name is Mr. Mwale and I don't know any lord lungu." He says trying to convince the woman who's getting paler.
"Look, I am not here to play games with you. So just tell me if you are lord Mike lungu or not." The woman says this time with a hit of anger making the house slightly shake.
"What's going on? and who is this?" Mrs. Mwale asks, coming out with an alarmed expression on her face.
"The Lady was just leaving, she came to the wrong address," Mr. Mwale tells his wife.
"Have you become so heartless that you won't even help a weak lady?" the woman asks, looking at Mr mwale.
"Who are you?" Mrs. Mwale asks.
"Is your husband lord mike lungu brother of lord Davon lungu warden of the Great Mountains?" the woman asks Mrs. Mwale.
"Who are you and why do you want to know?" Mrs. Mwale asks.
"I am Rose the Dragon Princess from Oval Kingdom. Are you going to answer my question or not?" Mr and Mrs. Mwale can feel the heat coming from her. Dragons are known for their temper and once they are angry they destroy anything with no remorse. Mrs. Mwale looks at Mr. Mwale, silently begging him not to anger the princess more.
"Your Highness, please come in." Mr Mwale says.
Princess Rose steps into the house, her presence immediately commanding attention. Her regal bearing and the aura of power surrounding her make it clear that she is no ordinary visitor. As she enters the dining room, the room falls silent, and all eyes turn to her.
"This is Princess Rose of the Oval Kingdom. She is here to see us" Mr Mwale says.
"Your Highness," Mr and Mrs Mwape says, standing up and bowing slightly. Looking at their friends with questioning eyes
Princess Rose smiles gently, but her eyes show a hint of worry. "Thank you for your hospitality. I apologize for arriving unannounced."
Mr. Mwale gestures for the princess to sit. "Please, make yourself comfortable, your highness. What brings you here?"
Princess Rose takes a deep breath, her hand resting protectively on her swollen stomach. "I am being pursued by the brotherhood. They have managed to recruit the dark witches and have a stone that can control even a powerful hybrid like Myself. I managed to escape them but I am sure they will find me soon. I want my child to be safe before they find me. I had a cloaking spell on my stomach when they took me. They have no idea that I am pregnant. My transition into a vampire has started, I have only four hours before I can fully turn. I have slowed down my child's birth, but I will not be able to any longer. I need to take care of my child. You are my last hope."
The room is filled with a heavy silence as everyone processes the gravity of the situation. Mrs. Mwape and Mrs. Mwale exchange worried glances, understanding the weight of the princess's request.
"How did you find us?" Mrs. Mwape asks after some time.
"When I came to the human world I cast a spell that could lead me to a guardian related to my child's father. Your brother told me about you a lot of times." Princess Rose explains.
"You are Davon's mate, the one he met recently?" Mr. Mwale asks.
"Yes, you are well-informed for someone who has not been in the magical realm for the past ten years.
"I still have friends who keep me informed from time to time," Mr replies.
"Do you think the child is okay?" Mrs. Mwale asks.
"Yes, she is okay for now. I want you to promise me that no matter what happens you will protect my daughter."
"Does Davon know?" Mr. Mwale asks.
"No, and he will never know until the time is right. I know he is your brother and you might want to tell him about it but telling about the child will put his other children in danger. Will you please help protect my child?"
"Of course, we will help you," Mrs. Mwale says firmly. "You and your child will be safe here."
Mrs. Mwape nods in agreement. "We will do everything in our power to protect you. But we must be cautious. If the brotherhood is after you, we need to be prepared for anything."
"You did not hear me. I don't want protection for myself, just my daughter." Princess Rose explains.
"What do you mean, your Highness?" Mrs. Mwale asks.
"I want you to take care of my child and bring her up. I am going back to the magical realm after giving birth. That way the brotherhood won't come after my child." Princess Rose says holding Mrs. Mwale's hands.
"Are you sure there is no other way?" Mrs. Mwale asks.
"I am sure, this is the only way to protect my child." Princess Rose with tears in her eyes.
"I promise you that I will love her with everything in me." Mrs Mwale says.
Princess Rose looks relieved, her eyes filling with gratitude. "Thank you. I cannot express how much this means to me."
Princess Rose feels a sharp pain in her stomach and back and lets out a moan. "I think she is in labor," Mrs. Mwape says getting up from her chair and holding Princess Rose's hand.
"I will go and prepare the room for the birth," Mrs. Mwale says.
Cecilia reaches out her tiny hand toward Princess Rose. The princess smiles and gently takes the child's hand.
"She is a special child," Princess Rose says softly, looking at Cecilia with a knowing gaze. "Her power is extraordinary. You should keep both of them together." Princess Rose says with a painful expression.
Mrs. Mwape smiles proudly, though her eyes still hold a hint of worry. "Yes, she is. And we will ensure that both she and your daughter are safe."
"I have prepared the room, mike and Jacob watch Cilia." Mrs. Mwale says.
Mrs. Mwale and Mrs. Mwape help Princess Rose who is moaning in pain.
"Just hold on a little, the pain you are feeling right now will be worth it when you hold your daughter." Mrs. Mwape tells Princess Rose as she helps her adjust to the bed.
It takes two hours for Princess Rose to give birth to a beautiful baby girl.
"She is beautiful." Mrs. Mwale says giving Princess Rose her daughter after cleaning her.
"Welcome to the world my little warrior." Princess Rose says as she kisses her daughter on the forehead.
"What name are you going to give her?" Mrs. Mwape asks.
"Her name is Belladonna Aconitum." Princess Rose says with a smile.
"Is it okay if I call the men?" Mrs. Mwale asks Princess Rose.
"Yeah, it's alright." She replies looking at her daughter.
A few minutes later Mrs. Mwale comes back into the room with Mr. Mwale and Mr. Mwape.
"May I?" Mr. Mwale asks, reaching his hands to Princess Rose.
"Sure." Princess Rose says handing him the baby. Mr mwale holds the baby with so much care.
"I should leave before they find me. Time is running out I need to see my brother before It's too late." Princess Rose says getting off the bed. She winces in pain as stands on her feet.
"Are you leaving right now?" Mrs. Mwape asks.
"Yes, I have to." Princess Rose removes a pendant from her neck and puts it around Belladonna. "Make sure she wears this pendant every day. I have cast a spell on it, it will suppress her magical nature until She is twenty-five years old. The magic could even become powerless before she Is twenty-five so just make sure you pay attention to her changes. No one should know that she is my daughter except the people in this room. I have given the pendant identical to this, to someone who will also help keep Belladonna safe. In case the magic on the pendant becomes powerless she will know and she will help." Princess Rose explains.
"Don't worry, we will protect my niece with our lives." Mr mwale says giving the princess her daughter.
"Goodbye my little princess, I have to leave you for now. I hope the gods will allow us to meet in the afterlife." Princess Rose says as she connects her forehead to her daughter. A white light comes from her forehead to her daughter's as she says some audible words. People in the room look at her in awe.
"Please help me open a portal to the Oval Kingdom, I don't have enough energy to do it on my own." Princess Rose says.
"I will help you." Mrs. Mwape says.
"Close the portal when I go through and remove all traces that will lead back here." Princess Rose says as she holds Mrs. Mwape's hand who transfers her magic to her for her to open a portal. Princess Rose closes her and envisions her bed chamber in the palace. The portal opens She looks back at her daughter with tears in her and steps through.