After that day, Artemis too often began to "accidentally" meet Raphael and it gradually turned into friendship, then into a great friendship, and then something more.

He was her support, her support, who never criticized her, did not ridicule her actions, but on the contrary supported her in everything, appreciated, respected and had fun and fooled around with her, as if he was the most ridiculous and ridiculous clown here, from whom they tried to take away the role.

He did not immediately tell her that he was actually directly related to the royal family and when that day came, She did not immediately believe it until she noticed that he was completely serious and even looked a little guilty for hiding it from her. It hit her self-esteem so hard that it took her several days to weigh everything and accept this news.

Rafael assured her that his parents would not mind her social status, because the main thing in their family was to have magical roots, otherwise the choice was left to him. And since he was the crown Prince, a huge responsibility for procreation was placed on his shoulders.

Temi hadn’t thought far enough to think about children yet, but Raphael introduced her to her parents anyway. The latter had to come themselves, because Artemis was too embarrassed and frightened by his statement about the acquaintance that she locked herself in her house.

She thought her own mother would have a stroke when she saw the king and queen on the threshold of the house. It was the most absurd and most nervous day in the life of everyone who was there.

So their relationship was approved on both sides and the financial situation of Artemis’s family improved significantly, although her mother still resisted accepting expensive gifts from Raphael’s family. But they still changed the house.

All this time, both Artemis and Raphael hid from the others a very significant fact that would have become a disgrace on everyone’s heads. This happened at a time when they had not yet started dating officially.

One day, she noticed that she began to show strange powers when she accidentally picked up a small pendant on the street. This scared her, but an elderly woman who came up to her convinced her that there was nothing to be afraid of. Only later did she realize that the woman did not accidentally drop the pendant, but did it on purpose. And the pendant was actually a witch’s amulet. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Fearing shame, she did not tell anyone about it for a long time and periodically she had meetings with the same elderly woman who turned out to be a witch and began to teach Temi to use new skills and powers.

Artemis was a very smart and quick-witted girl, so everything was easy for her, especially potions and healing magic, but she was categorically against teaching and using magic that could cause harm.

On one of the sabbaths, an elderly woman gave her a message that the supreme witch wanted to see her. The time and place were marked.

She quickly helped her mother around the house, brought water and then went into the forest in her shabby dress with patches, without telling anyone anything. That day, she told Rafael that she was feeling a little unwell and would stay at home to rest.

She walked on trembling legs, because the supreme witch and her daughter openly frightened her and inspired fear. The daughter of the supreme witch was haughtily cold and demanding. She did not like that Temi refused to study and apply black magic, as well as to carry out her assignments, which were not approved by the conscience Temi. And this put Artemis at a disadvantage, because she could be exposed at any moment if she was not submissive.

- You could use magic, why are you so opposed to it? - The supreme witch asked when Artemis said she carried water herself.

- I’m afraid Mom will find out. I’m afraid they’ll find out in the village and condemn us. - She replied in a drooping voice, slightly bowing her head.

- That’s right, it’s better to keep this gift away from outsiders. But you can do it secretly. the woman replied again. – You need to develop your skills, otherwise you will be useless to the coven.

The woman I had a chance to talk to was already quite old, but there was a huge force in her that others had to reckon with.

- I’m trying. – replied Temi. – The other day I even managed to treat a neighbor’s dog’s broken paw.

- It’s all so insignificant. - A young woman whose face was hidden under a hood intervened. – What will you do for us? In case you haven’t noticed, we don’t keep dogs here. - she spread her hands to the sides, indicating that there was not a single animal soul around.

- You asked us to teach you and we give you knowledge, but we get nothing in return. The time for your payment will come soon, Temi. – she said again and threw off her hood. – I’ll give you a task. If you don’t fulfill it, I will let you go and do whatever you want, there will be no pressure on you. Treat dogs or cats, no one will care. But if you fail the task or refuse to do it, I will destroy you and everyone you care about.

Utter fear immediately engulfed Artemis’s heart, she could not even take a deep breath, because she was trembling. These were not empty words, there was an undisguised threat behind them.

- I’ve heard a rumor here that you’re close to the Crown Prince.

- Is that true, Lillian? - The elderly supreme witch intervened.

- So I want to hear the answer from our young disciple. - Lillian’s gaze seemed to cut the air between them.

Temi swallowed and replied in a trembling voice:

- We’re just acquaintances. – she wanted to protect the people dear to her from anything that could discredit or lead to terrible consequences.

Lillian burst into laughter and applause.

- Isn’t it wonderful? Friends! - her hands crossed themselves and stopped at her cheek. There was emotion on her face, but it looked creepy, like a harbinger of some kind of trouble. - But you know, you better not get close to him and his family. Because I want you to kill them all. Everyone.

Some of the witches looked at each other in surprise, while the supreme Witch frowned. It was like Lillian’s own wish, and not on the desire of the witches present.

Artemis’s heart broke after the witch’s words and a lump rose in her throat, threatening to completely block her breathing. She tried her best not to show that tears were coming to her eyes.

- You have heard my demands, so now you can be free. - Lillian replied with a smile, straightening her cloak and waving her hand like an annoying fly that does not want to fly away. – I hope for a positive outcome soon.

Artemis ran from the forest with all her might. Her tears rained down on her face, causing her to scream, roar and hiccup.

When she came home, she noticed Raphael and her mother sitting in the kitchen, who were too worried and now Artemis realized how much she got into trouble with her lies.

Raphael immediately ran up to her, wrapping her in a tight embrace and taking all her inexorably flowing tears his shirt.

He was worried about her even when he heard that she was not well, but when he came and she was not at home, it made him seriously scared.

Not wanting to find a way out of this situation herself, she took Raphael to her room and laid everything out to him. She knew that this threatened her with the death of her loved ones, but Raphael not only did not turn away, but on the contrary supported her, promising that they would find a solution.

But in return, Artemis had to confess to her mother, who was horrified by what she heard and and for a long time she heard her mother crying behind the wall, because the witch’s gift was a curse.

Artemis felt guilty that she accepted the old woman’s help as a benefactor at that time, but in fact it was all a setup for her to get to the royal family unnoticed and by someone else’s hands.

With the help of the royal couple and Raphael, Artemis and her mother were safe, security was increased and life returned to its former course and no one else discussed this topic and did not mention witches.

That’s just the witches remembered her quite often, her betrayal did not go unnoticed. Especially for Lillian, who was already hatching her own revenge plan.

For several years their life was carefree, full of joy and boundless happiness. It was a time when they became even closer to each other and realized that they no longer see the meaning of life alone.

The wedding day was set for the middle of winter, and the wedding itself was supposed to last several days.

In the first three days, the guests honored the newly formed family. A crown was placed on Artemis’ head, which resonated with the Crown Princess’ powers, embodying the power of all the people present who shared their power voluntarily and cordially.

Each crown, whether of a king or queen, was exceptional and was a kind of artefacts that could be used by themselves as energy storage. And it was from the person to whom the crown belonged that it depended on what qualities it would possess.

The last day was reserved exclusively for wizards to pay their respects.

This was the moment the witches chose for their revenge. The fourth day, when all the guests left, but all the wizards were gathered in one place at once.

Artemis, as usual, gathered in the morning and preened herself to stand with dignity next to her husband in front of a large crowd of those gathered. But on this day, her heart felt an unusual and inexplicable anxiety, which she drove away from herself with all her might.

Biting the nail on her thumb, she turned around, standing in front of the mirror and frowned. It was the first time in these four days that her ladies-in-waiting and maids were late to help her change.

She was about to go look for someone, but in the end the door opened and a young and very beautiful maid, whom she had not seen before, came inside.