With Victor around, I felt more calm then ever. I was able to focus my thoughts and straighten up my plans. For now, I had two things to take care of: First, to retake the throne, and second, to find that Artifact. Without it I wouldn't be able to proceed in my plan. However, finding it was another whole matter. In my past life, it did not appear when I was a mortal. It only appeared when I had ascended to godhood. But, I was not going to let this stop me. I had to find it no matter what.
Thinking of that, I decided to head up the attic to look for things that might aid me in seeking the Artifact. Squinting as the glaring sunlight shone into my eyes through the glass panes, I fumbled around anxiously trying to get a hold of myself. "Crash!" Oops. I might have broken something. The next moment, Victor's hurried footsteps were heard. "Luna? You okay?" "Yeah..." I answered absent mindedly. Under the sunlight, words appeared as if there was invisible ink in the air. I read it out loud. "What you seek is within your sight, Just believe with your heart. The jewel that shines of purity brings serenity, through the twisted vines and impure heart, the key will unlock the answer's truth." What did that mean? The jewel that shines of purity? Was it moonstone? Or was it a diamond? Could it be a sapphire? Father always talked about a sapphire with endless radiance held in the Royal Vault. Maybe that was it? I couldn't wrap my head about it. I just had to try my luck. Victor, seeing me just fine, headed back downstairs to tend to his matters.
At night, when Victor was asleep, I snuck out of the house. Looking around the vicinity for other people, the streets were littered with nothing but air. Grabbing my scarf, I raised it up and tied it below my nose just so that my features couldn't be recognized that easily. With the empty streets, I easily reached the Royal Palace in no time. Surveying my potential route to enter the Palace undetected, the guards were stationed at every corner. Shoot. Looks like this wasn't going to be as easy as I imagined. Trying my luck, I distracted the guards with some commotion to lure them away. Surprisingly, they easily fell for the trick and headed away from their stations to check out the commotion. With the matter of security easily settled, I entered the unguarded entrance of the Palace. Knowing the interiors of the Palace by heart, I easily located the unattended vault. Strange. Why was it left unguarded? It was always supposed to be heavily guarded against intruders. Did I mistake it? Deep inside, my heart started to pound furiously. I began to suspect that something was wrong. Yet, I had to get ahold of the sapphire at all cost. It was my only lead to retrieve my family's Artifact that was passed down for generations after generations. Without it, there was zero chance I would be able to regain the throne.
Entering the vault, I finally found the sapphire Father had been talking about. Feeling relieved, I walked out of the Vault. Of course, things weren't going to be so easy. I forgot one thing - I was trespassing on the King's territory without permission, and I had let my guard down. Too much, in fact.
The guard immediately saw me strolling out casually, and shouted: "Hey you! What are you doing trying to steal from the Vault! Guards!! Catch the thief!" Immediately, I began to make a run out of the Palace, with the guards hot on my trail. However, this was still my home territory. I had the advantage here. I knew all the secret mechanisms, secret entrances and secret room the guards don't. And I can use this knowledge to safely evade my pursuers.
I immediately made a right and pressed the hidden mechanism on the stone wall. As if on command, the war flipped over and tossed me into the hidden room. On the other side of the hidden room, I could still hear the commotions and the Royal Guard demanding the guards to find me, or they would have to face the consequences. I heaved a sigh of relief as I safely evaded my pursuers. Of course, I had been lucky - having the advantage of speed, and luck. This hidden room had a passageway that was completely concealed in the corner, leading directly to the town. I missed playing hide and seek with my Father when I was young...but now was not the time for reminiscing.
I had to leave. Time was not on my side. If I didn't leave soon, I could still be caught. Lifting my hood to cover my face entirely, I left the Palace under the cover of the night.
The next morning, Victor woke me up grudgingly, and was surprised to find a sapphire dazzling brightly beside me. "Luna...you...stole from the Vault?" "Yeah. I'm sorry.. I knew you would react like this so I didn't want to let you know about this. Are you mad?" "Of course not. Do whatever pleases you, I will always support you all the way." Victor said while caressing me gently. I... felt so ashamed. I did not even think about how he would feel if I ever did such a thing. How would he feel? Looking back, I used to think my own way and act my own way, never once thinking about how Victor would feel. Was I...selfish? At least things worked out in the end. If it didn't, I don't know what I would do. I couldn't abandon Victor. Not again. He meant everything to me, I would do everything. I...shouldn't be this selfish. He means everything to me. To lose him, the pain...it would be too tremendous for me to ever bear.
Now that I have a piece of the puzzle, I was one step closer to achieving my goal. To dethrone my cruel uncle and make preparations. I needed to see my sister Dream. I don't even know what her condition is right now. Was she safe?