WITCHDOM

PROLOGUE LUCAS STHANDWA DLAMINI Father:" Take him away! To the dungeon!" "No, please, father! It's a lie! I didn't do such! You know me father, mother! I'm innocent. Matilda say the truth. Mother!" I can't believe the palace guards, who I've known and played with since I was a kid, are the ones who arrested me and threw me in the dungeon. We used to have so much fun together, and now they're treating me like a criminal. It's hard to understand how they could do this to me, especially since they know me so well. We've shared so many memories and laughs together. But now, they're just following orders and don't seem to care that I'm innocent. When they roughly carried me away, I felt like I was being betrayed by people I trusted. It was like they were seeing me as a stranger, not as their friend Lucas. They dumped me in the dungeon without even a second glance. It hurts to think that our friendship meant nothing to them. I'm just a prisoner now, not the prince they used to know. It's a harsh reality check, and I'm struggling to come to terms with it. "Open this door now boka! Mandy! Guys! Open this door!" I've known Matilda since she was a little girl, but I never really paid attention to her until she became my handmaid two years ago. She's always been diligent and hardworking, doing her job without complaint. I never thought of her in a romantic way or anything like that. She was just my handmaid, and I treated her with kindness and respect because of her position. But yesterday, she didn't show up for work, and I thought maybe she was sick or something. But then, out of nowhere, I'm accused of raping her! I was shocked and disbelief. I know I didn't do it, and I have no idea why she would say such a thing. It's crazy because I've always treated her with respect and kindness. I don't understand why she would falsely accuse me of something so serious. It's not only damaging to my reputation, but it's also a serious crime. I'm trying to stay calm and figure out what's going on, but it's hard when everything seems so surreal. I know I didn't do it, and I'm determined to prove my innocence. My mother, Queen MaGumede, is a kind and loving person who has always been there for me. She's had a tough time with her health, especially with her heart, and it breaks my heart to see her suffering. As my father's third wife, she's had to deal with a lot of drama and politics in the palace. But despite all that, she's always been my rock, my confidante, and my best friend. I'm her only child, and I know how much she loves me. She went through so much to have me, suffering multiple birth complications before I was finally born. That's why I'm so grateful to have her in my life. Seeing her cry as I was taken away to the dungeon was heartbreaking. I know she's worried sick about me, and I don't blame her. I'm worried about myself too! But I want her to know that I'm strong and I'll get through this. I just hope that my father, the King, can see the truth and release me from this wrongful accusation. I don't want my mother to suffer anymore because of me." Lucas is concerned about his mother's health and well-being, especially since she's had a tough time with her heart. He's grateful for her love and support and wants to reassure her that he'll get through this difficult time. He hopes his father, the King, will see the truth and release him from the wrongful accusation. I've never been in the dungeon before, and it's a really scary place. I've heard of it, of course, but I never thought I'd actually be here. It's dark, damp, and creepy, and I don't like it one bit. I keep thinking that this is some kind of prank or test, and that someone will come along any minute and say, "Gotcha! You passed!" But as the hours drag on, I'm starting to realize that this might be real. I'm not used to being in a place like this. I'm a prince, for crying out loud! I'm used to luxury and comfort, not darkness and discomfort. And the insects! Ugh, there are mosquitoes and who-knows-what-else flying around me, biting me and driving me crazy. I'm trying to be brave, but it's hard. I keep thinking about my mother and how worried she must be. I hope someone comes soon to let me out of here. I don't know how much more of this I can take. Oh, the irony! My birthday, a day that's supposed to be filled with joy and celebration, has turned out to be the day of my imprisonment. The day that was meant to be a celebration of my life has instead become a reminder of my captivity. It's like the universe is playing a cruel joke on me. I'm trapped, and my freedom has been taken away from me. NETHERLANDS *** NOMAQHIBELO*** I'm super excited because I've just finished my Book of Shadows, which is a big deal for a witch like me! I'm only 17years old, but I was supposed to finish it when I'm 21. I worked really hard and did it early! I can't wait to show my mom, she's always yelling at me for no reason, and I hope this will finally make her proud of me. I want to see her smile and be happy with me for once. I'm going to tell her all about it with a big smile on my face! I watch as my mom mixes up a batch of spells in a big bowl called a mortar. She's adding all sorts of weird ingredients, and I'm wincing at the sight of them. Oh no, is that a dead baby chick? Ugh, I don't like this one bit! I know she's trying to make magic happen, but do they have to be so gross? I hope she doesn't expect me to help with this part of the spell-making process. "Mambo, my books of shadows are complete!" I'm expecting her to be impressed, proud, or at least happy for me, but instead, she doesn't even flinch. She's always so critical and mean to me, and I thought this achievement would finally change that. But no, she just ignores my big news and tells me to go fetch her a larvae from the backyard! Like, what even is that? A bug? A worm? Ugh, it's so gross! And why does she need it anyway? Can't she just be proud of me for once? "Mambo, I just told you that my book of ..." Mambo: " And what's that????Why can't you be like any other normal witch? You always represent your name, Nomaqhibelo. Always cursed and miserable. You are the result of my cursed womb and you don't cease to stop anytime." "I'm sorry mambo. I just want to make you proud..." Mambo: "Proud? Of you? Ha! You think completing a Book of Shadows is something to be proud of? Please. That's just the beginning. And besides, it's not like you did it on your own. I taught you everything you know." "But Mambo, you're always so angry and bitter. Can't you just be happy for me?" Mambo: "Happy? You want me to be happy? You're the reason for my unhappiness, Nomaqhibelo. You and your cursed existence. Don't you ever forget that."