Chapter 11

Within a week Kasper had to stop procrastinating and move forward with Grandma Shuu's plans. She was ready to get Artemis out of the house so that she can begin her own life for real. Grandma Shuu felt bad for metaphorically kicking her out of the bird's nest but Bird Beastman does this same exact thing to teach their young how to fly once they grow feathers. That is what Kasper and Grandma Shuu tell themselves to help them sleep at night. Grandma Shuu woke Artemis up as usual and fed her breakfast. Then she dressed Artemis in a nice dress that Danny had made for her and she put some jewelry on her as well. One piece of jewelry stood out among the rest, it was the wolf pendant Danny had made for her. Artemis actually liked it herself Danny has great skills in jewelry making and he personally put in a lot of effort to make this piece. "Your uncle and brother are going to take you out today. You should enjoy yourself" Grandma Shuu said encouragingly, interrupting Artemis' thoughts "I will nana" Artemis said to reassure her. Artemis of course didn't like the sound of going out and enjoying herself. She knew what Grandma Shuu really meant and she was not interested.

Kasper planned to keep the surprises quick but endless. He first greeted her outside with a carriage that was being pulled by two huge Bisons. "Whoa where did this come from". Artemis asked Kasper. "This is one of my gifts to you!" Apollo said, smiling. The carriage was perfectly decorated with designs and curtains. The Bisons we're huge, bigger than the cart itself. Artemis walked up to one of them and petted their fur. "One thing I love about this world is that the animals here are way bigger in size than they are in the Human world. These animals are huge" Artemis said, as she petted its fur. "We'll take a ride to the market in this." Kasper said. Artemis beamed excitedly and hugged Kasper. "There's just one condition…" Kasper said, hugging her back. Artemis let go of Kasper and frowned at him. "If you keep putting restrictions on me like this I'm going to rebel. I'm going to go crazy. I thought you kept saying that I was a grown woman" Artemis complained. Kasper was prepared for this argument, he was sure he'd have his way. "Yes you are a grown woman. I'm just saying. In order for you to go into the market you should have two other male beastmen with you. Instead of me and Apollo following you around side by side. How about you go around with Danny and Bowen. We'll just keep a distance" Kasper said to her. "You guys are always scheming," Artemis said, crossing her arms over her chest. Artemis knew for a fact that she really didn't need the Eagle and the Wolf beastmen to follow her around. Kasper was just trying to give them an opportunity to get close to her. "We will be close by hanging far back" Kasper said.

This was Bowen's chance to come in and swoop her off her feet. Everything fell together perfectly for him to make his move first. Bowen landed behind a tree in his Eagle form and then shapeshifted into his human form and quickly wrapped fur around his waist. "Hello Princess. I've come to give you this" Bowen said, coming in front of her, kneeling and presenting her with his sachet of gold nuggets. Artemis opened the bag while it was sitting in Bowen's hands. When she got a good look at what was inside she gasped and jumped back as if the sachet held a dead animal. Kasper stepped over and took a look inside as well curiously. After seeing what was inside Kasper laughed out loud holding his stomach. "Artemis, it's just gold. Remember when we took you to go digging the other day? This is what we use to buy stuff" Kasper told Artemis. "I know what it is. But why is there a whole bag full of them?" Artemis asked. "I got them while I was digging a new home. I found all of these in that cave therefore I want to give them to you" Bowen said. Artemis was used to playing this gifting game. After thinking and hesitating, on the decision whether to accept the gold or not, Artemis ultimately decided she didn't want to argue or debate so she just closed the bag up and left it in his hands. "Hold onto this. In case someone tries to rob me then it'll be on you instead" she said to him.

Bowen looked up at Artemis and smiled. "Let me help you into your carriage" Bowen said standing up and holding his hand out for her to take. "Here I'll help you Princess" Danny said walking up behind the pair. Danny took Artemis' hand and pulled her up and carried her into the carriage with him. "Here. There's a cover right here to make your seat softer" Danny said "and I made another cloak for you, here put it over your shoulders the wind is too cold today" he added, throwing the cloak over her shoulders. "Where did you…" Artemis said annoyed, but before she could say anything else Kasper and Apollo stood by and cleared their throats to stop her from complaining "Thank you" Artemis said after glaring at her uncle and brother. Artemis settled into her padded seat and folded her hands into her lap. "Don't worry Princess, we'll keep you safe at the market" Bowen said. "There's even going to be royal guards there too so no one will be able to get near you but us" Danny told her.

Outside you could hear the crack of a whip and then suddenly the carriage started moving. "Pull back the curtains please. I don't get out often to enjoy the scenery" Artemis told Danny and Bowen who happily obliged. Artemis seemed to finally relax when she was distracted. The carriage slowed down as they got closer to town and she had a chance to get a quick look at the clusters of houses and street stalls, work stations and food stations as well. "I don't even know what I need for the little cottage from here, '' Artemis said out loud. "Don't worry. Just get everything you see. Besides, I've collected a lot of gold for you so you're basically rich now" Bowen said to her. "Fine" Artemis replied. The carriage stopped to let Artemis climb out so that she could shop around. All of the smart business people were sitting at the beginning of the street market.

There was a stall selling bamboo and wicker baskets. Artemis stopped there first so that she could buy baskets that she can shop with. Next she stopped at a stand selling wooden and metal eating and cooking spoons, she bought some of those as well. As she went down the street she picked out all of the necessities like furs to make clothes with. More tools to fix the little cottage with. Then halfway through the street market were people selling food. Whether it was fresh cut meat or farming foods like wheat, corn and potatoes Artemis picked them all. Danny and Bowen frequently had to take turns running back to buy more baskets and putting the full ones inside of the carriage. The whole time walking around the street market people stared in amazement at Artemis. They gossiped like she was not walking past able to hear them. "The wolf Princess Is a little weird don't you think. Where has she been all of these years" someone asked out loud. "Look at her. She only has two males with her and not a single marking in sight" another person said. "We have better looking females with more men and are richer than her too" another person said. Artemis continued to walk around until she couldn't find anything interesting anymore so then she turned around and left.

Back at the carriage Kasper and Apollo met with Artemis to see how she was doing. "Don't listen to those petty gossipers. They're all just jealous. One tear falls from your eye and I'll have this market shut down" Kasper said to her with a serious tone. "Uncle Kasper. How am I a Princess that nobody loves?" Artemis asked him. Kasper let out a deep sigh and pulled Artemis into a warm hug. "Let me tell you something. These people treated your mother the same way. Not only are you royalty but you are more beautiful and intelligent than any other female throughout the entire Beastworld. They want you to feel insecure to make themselves feel better" Kasper told her. "Remember. A lot of these people expected us to be… mainly human with lowly destinies. But look at us! We're alive and thriving. They're just disappointed that we failed their expectations" Apollo said, trying to encourage Artemis. Artemis stepped away from Kasper and took a deep breath. She didn't want him to shut down the market if she started crying and she really didn't want her grandfather to hear of the way she was treated. Artemis nodded her head to Kasper and Apollo and turned to step into the carriage. That's when she noticed that Danny and Bowen were still around. She wanted to say something nice and rewarding to them but she was still a little upset so she bowed her head to them in acknowledgement. "Don't worry Princess. You will become more powerful and the ground will rumble wherever you walk bringing those insolent people to their knees" Danny said to her.

"Hmph. Daniel why are you wasting your time with this wannabe Princess" a female voice said coming up to the group. Everyone turned around and looked at the female Wolf standing there with other females behind her. Jenny tried her best to hide but she was still noticeable all the way in the back of the group. "Princess Artemis. This is Wende. Part of the third most powerful family in the Wolf Kingdom. Your royal family is the very most powerful" Danny said bowing his head to introduce the rude female. "Wende do you have a grievance with me? I haven't been here long enough to do anything to insult you" Artemis said to Wende. "Your mere existence is an insult to me. I have been around this Kingdom my whole life. This Kingdom is mine! I came out today to find a mate but they were all fawning over you instead" Wende said with a sinister tone. Artemis paused for a moment and then giggled covering her mouth with her hands. "Little Wen. It sounds like you think we are competing to be the Wolf Princess. Let me tell you. Even if you mate with a male from my bloodline you are still not a pure blood royal and will have no rights. Stop dreaming before you encounter your worst nightmare" Artemis said to Wende. Little Wen's face contorted and she started to cry like a baby. "How dare you talk to Young Master Wende that way!" a small female said pointing at Artemis. In the next second the other female had picked up a big rock and chucked it at Artemis with all of her strength. Artemis actually managed to dodge the rock but some of the other girls threw rocks as well and one hit her in her head causing her to start bleeding and losing her vision. "You dare!" Apollo and Bowen raged. Bowen shapeshifted into a huge bird and screeched so loud the distant mountains seemed to rumble. Artemis was starting to lose consciousness and her balance as she tried to stay still and focus her sight. She was in too much pain and couldn't focus.

"Priscilla, I can't believe you just did that!" Wende Complained to the girl Priscilla. "What? Really who is she? You obviously have more power. No one will care about her" Priscilla said. Danny held onto Artemis to make sure she didn't fall to the ground. Kasper and Apollo were growling at the females hesitant to attack due to them being females. Artemis needed to handle this one personally and she knew it. Despite getting a concussion and leaking blood from her head Artemis fumed with anger which gave her a boost of adrenaline. Artemis lounged forward into the air right out of Danny's arms and landed directly in front of the group of girls in her huge white wolf form. She had shapeshifted mid air and the girls all screamed and started to turn and run but they were stopped from leaving by the royal wolf army in beast form blocking their path. The only one who didn't move was Jenny and Little Wen who got down on her knees and bowed to Artemis "Princess. I only meant to say a few harsh words and I learned my lesson however I did not intend for them to attack you like that. Please forgive my ignorance and instigation and spare my life" Little Wen pleaded to Artemis. "So you understand what your ignorance and jealousy has caused others around you to become?" Artemis asked her, talking in her wolf form. Little Wen looked up at Artemis with huge teary eyes obviously in shock as well. "Princess Please forgive me!" She cried "Arrest the others" Artemis demanded shapeshifting back into human form leaving all of the girls to drop down the ground screaming and crying. The commotion had attracted the attention of the whole market and everyone came to see what was going on. They all looked on in horror as the girls were rounded up and tied up. "Princess. You can order their death if you'd like. Assaulting a royal family member and causing such an injury is not tolerated" Kasper said to her. Artemis looked around at the people that were watching, probably wondering if she was going to order an execution or not. Artemis looked at the girls who were sweaty and snotty from crying and fighting. The royal guards, who were equipped with more rope to tie up anyone else. "In the human world people were whipped in public for committing a crime. Is that done here?" Artemis asked Kasper. He nodded hesitantly because he really wanted to execute them. "Whip them thirty times, even if they bleed. They will heal" Artemis said before turning around and getting into the carriage. All of the spectators gasped and commented on how angry the Wolf Princess must be. And if she is angry enough to have them whipped in public then her Royal Grandfather will surely execute them and their entire families.

Artemis got home to the little cottage and was greeted not by her Grandmother but her Grandfather. Apollo hurriedly put another cloak over Artemis' shoulders to conceal her naked body. "You handled that like a true Princess Xhi'er, although I'm still furious" King Maximus said to Artemis. "Papa. I think I might have been too cruel. I don't want the Wolf Kingdom to hate me and make my life harder but I was angry and I think I deserve a little respect" Artemis said to King Maximus. The King let out a deep sigh and opened his arms out to her. "Xhi'er, come inside. Let's talk," he said to her. Artemis trotted over into her grandfather's arms and let him pull her inside. Artemis walked into the cottage bloody and naked once again. Grandma Shuu nearly fainted at the sight of her. She pulled Artemis into her corner to get her washed up and clothed her. King Maximus along with Kasper and Apollo had their backs turned to give them privacy in the little Cottage. "Xhi'er you must hate me for sending you out into danger over and over again" Grandma Shuu said with a wavering voice. "Nana… After today I am starting to understand why you are so persistent for me to finish growing up now that we live in this Beastworld," Artemis said to her. "I only want what's best for you but I fail every time" Grandma Shuu cried "you have not failed. I will not end up like my mother. May she Rest In Peace. I will earn their respect eventually" Artemis said. "Xhi'er. In order to gain respect you also have to gain power and not just your spiritual powers either" King Maximus said to her with his back still turnt towards the door. "Daniel and Bowen showed great devotion today as they acted like your mates." Kasper suggested. "Are you suggesting that accepting both of them as my mates will make me powerful?" Artemis said in disbelief "unfortunately it's true" Grandma Shuu said dreadfully. "Once everything naturally falls into place you will have your power and respect" Grandma Shuu said. Artemis became cold all over even though she was washed off with warm water and was put into a thick dress.

Artemis knew everyone was right after what happened at the market today. She sat silently thinking and tapping her foot while Grandma Shuu warmed up a pot of tea. Everything that has happened from the moment she was conceived by her parents up to her arriving in this Beastworld then all of the events leading up to today. Her family has been losing its power for years. Although she grew up in a slightly different society she is grown enough to comprehend these difficulties and come up with part of a solution. "Papa" Artemis finally said. "I will work on that…" she said after King Maximus turned around to face her. "Xhi'er. I just want you to do what makes you happy. I don't want to fail another female in this family" King Maximus said. Artemis smiled at her grandfather. "Since I am going to try to start a family it is time for Uncle Kasper and Brother Apollo to start families as well. It's just that I don't want to see them end up being used and walked over in some impudent female harem. Please allow them to have more than one wife" Artemis said to her grandfather. King Maximus seemed to think over Artemis' words. "If that will ultimately make you happy Xhi'er, then I will allow it. I will allow it for any male born into our family from here on out" He said to Artemis smiling. "I'll worry about the rest later. I just want to make sure I dont forget about two of my favorite people. Nana already told me that they should have their own families as well" Artemis said shyly.