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When Artem met Princess Luna for the first time, the princess and her mother had come to Artem's village to celebrate a moon festival. Artem had been tasked by her mother to prepare a gift for the royals, so she had made a pie with blueberries she had picked in the surrounding forests. When she had gone to present the pie, the princess had taken one look at it, turned up her nose, and strode away. Artem’s mother later found the pie in the trash and an inconsolable Artem hiding in the attic, crying about how the princess hated her.
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After Moonbell was destroyed, Artem woke up alone. When the first rescue parties arrived, Princess Luna was with them, running from ruin to smoldering ruin, desperately searching for something that she never could find. The princess glared at Artem for nearly the whole ride back to the capital. Later, Artem learned that, not only was she the sole survivor of the massacre, but that Princess Luna’s father had been the village at that time. All they ever found of him was a silver wedding ring at the bottom of the river. Artem thought that the princess blamed her for the man’s death. It was ok though, Artem blamed herself as well.
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Princess Luna didn’t look very happy when Artem was adopted and came to live in the castle. The queen brought them into a room together and told them in no uncertain terms that they would now be sisters. Artem tentatively smiled, holding out a hand towards the princess in a gesture of friendship. The princess looked at Artem, then at the offered hand, and back to Artem. She scoffed, turned on her heel, and left Artem alone and confused.
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Artem didn't sleep on her first night in the castle. The beds were too soft and the air was too quiet, so she decided to wander. The castle was massive, hall after hall, large room upon large room. When she finally found the kitchen, she nearly squealed in delight. Every cooking implement she ever could have wanted was here, whenever she wanted. She was so excited that she forgot to watch where she was going and collided with Princess Luna, spilling the stack of cookies the princess had been carrying. As she helped clean up the mess, she spotted a ring lying on the ground. Before she could admire the shiny object, the princess snatched the ring, running out of the room with a glare, leaving Artem to clean up the mess.
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When Artem finally confronted Princess Luna, it was at the top of a grand staircase. The princess had avoided her ever since their meeting in the kitchens, and when they were forced to be in the same room, the princess ignored her. When Artem finally was able to ask the princess why she disliked her so much, the princess responded by trying to push past her. This caused Artem, who was standing near the edge, to fall backwards, hitting her head on the stairs as everything went black.
—
Artem woke with a gasp. Her head hurt like hell. She looked around, realizing she was in her bed, in her room, and Princess Luna was sitting next to her bed, washcloth in her hands. The princess wouldn't meet Artem’s eyes. “Look, I…I’m sorry for how I’ve treated you for the last couple months. I was sad and angry over the death of my father and I took it out on you. It was wrong of me and I apologize.”
“It’s ok.” Artem said softly, “I know it isn’t easy to lose a family member, especially one you were close to, and it probably didn’t help to have a whole new person thrust into your life. Maybe…we could try again?” She shifted in her bed, holding out her hand for the princess to shake. “I’m Artem Brita. Nice to meet you!”
The princess smiled. “I’m Luna Metis.” She took Artem’s hand, pulling her into an awkward side hug.
The last thing Artem heard before drifting back to sleep was Luna quietly whispering, “Nice to meet you too…sister”
When Artem woke, Luna was still there, asleep in the chair next to her bed. Artem later asked her why she had stayed, and Luna had just looked at her and told her, "Because you're my sister now?"