"Honey, you are going to the palace today… and I know it is the first time you will meet the new emperor. That young man whose unknown celestial power awakened at the battlefield…, I just hope there will be no trouble today," Mrs. Catherine said, her voice filled with worry as she folded the last piece of cloth into a wooden box.
Mr. Sabastin sighed heavily, adjusting his robe. "I don't even understand why this meeting is so urgent. Can you imagine? His Royal Highness, at the age of 27, hasn't thought of taking a wife, talk less of having children. Which woman would want to marry a heartless man like that infact?"
"I heard he has a power he can't even control, and his father the great Emperor Roland died because of him" Clara said, lifting her chin slightly but disgusted.
Sarah turned to her twin, raising an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you know that?"
Clara smirked. "I'm older than you. Why wouldn't I know?"
Sarah scoffed. " Rumors" she said, "We're twins. There's no difference between us."
"Enough, girls," Mr. Sabastin interrupted, shaking his head. "Both of you should help your mother pack those things."
The girls exchanged a look before moving quickly.
After a brief silence, Sarah spoke again, her tone suddenly excited. "Father… Clara and I applied to work as maids in the palace."
Mr. Sabastin froze. "You what?"
"Yes," Clara added quickly. "We want our family to have enough money. If we get in, we can become rich quickly."
Mr. Sabastin placed a hand on his forehead. "These girls… you will not kill me one day, I hope. Do you even know how many people apply for jobs in the palace every day? Millions! I don't think you will be approved."
Sarah crossed her arms. "There's no harm in trying."
He looked at both of them, then sighed deeply. "Well… if one of you, or both of you, gets lucky, then our family's fortune will change."
"That's right," Mrs. Catherine said with a small smile. "Good thinking, my daughters."
"Now hurry," she added. "Pack those boxes. Let me see your father off."
*****
The palace was overflowing with power.
Noblemen stood in rows, dressed in fine garments. Elders whispered among themselves. Kings from distant lands sat with pride, while magicians in dark robes observed everything with sharp, calculating eyes.
Mr. Sabastin stood among them.
He was not rich.
But he was respected, an elder.
"Bow!" the Chief Council announced loudly.
The grand doors opened.
And The Emperor walked in.
Emperor Alexander Roland.
Flanked by his guards, his presence alone silenced the entire hall. The air grew heavy, suffocating, as if even breathing required permission.
"Long live the Great Emperor Alexander Roland! May your rulership be blessed!" the hall echoed.
The New Emperor walked to his throne and sat down, his expression unreadable.
Behind him stood his men, feared across the lands.
Rock, known for his brutality and fearlessness.
Liam, whose strength was said to rival giants.
And Simon… silent, deadly, and merciless.
Men of war.
Men who did not hesitate.
The emperor leaned slightly forward, his sharp gaze sweeping across the hall.
"I had a dream," he said.
His voice was calm, but it carried authority that gripped every soul present.
"And in that dream… there was a woman."
The hall remained silent.
"Magicians," he continued, "take note. This is now your highest priority."
A pause.
"Her name is Sarah."
"She will be the future empress."
A ripple of shock moved through the crowd.
The words landed like thunder.
"Whoever finds her will be greatly rewarded," Alexander said coldly. "Failure… is not an option."
His eyes darkened.
"I do not care how many people must be beheaded. You will search the entire universe if you must."
Fear spread like wildfire.
Among the crowd, a man muttered under his breath, unable to hold back his thoughts.
"The Majesty is truly heartless… how can a mere dream..."
Before he could finish,
WHOOSH!
An arrow flew across the hall.
It struck him instantly on his arm,
The man's body dropped to the ground.
Silence, not even given a chance to ask for mercy.
"That," the Chief Secretary said calmly, "is the reward of a man who speaks rashly before the Great Emperor."
Ryan, the guard who had released the arrow, stood still emotionless.
Alexander's eyes glowed faintly red, like burning embers beneath ice.
For a moment, it felt like the entire hall would collapse under his presence.
Then… it faded.
He leaned back, saying nothing more.
Two servants hurried forward, dragging the half-dead body away. A trail of blood followed behind them as they exited the chamber.
Outside, the body was dropped carelessly.
A guard stepped forward and made a call.
"Your family member, Mr. Sabastin, spoke rashly of the emperor. His body is half-dead. Come and pick him up within ten minutes… or he will be thrown into the wild."
******
Back at Mr Sabastin's home,
"Hello…?" Clara said.
Silence.
Her expression changed instantly.
Then,
"What?!"
Sarah rushed to her side. "What is it?"
Clara's hand trembled.
"Dad…"
Mrs. Catherine froze. "What happened to your father?"
Clara turned slowly, her face pale.
"He's in trouble," she whispered. "He's injured… badly."
Sarah's heart dropped.
"We have to go," she said immediately. "Now."
Without another word, the twins ran out of the house, fear pushing them faster than their feet could carry them.
They looked for a car to drop them at the palace,
Behind them, their mother called out but they didn't stop.
At that moment, none of them knew,
That a single dream…
Had already begun to destroy lives.
And somewhere deep within the palace…
The emperor sat in silence.
Unaware that the girl he was searching for,
Was already running straight into his world.