The emperor's command spread like wildfire
Across empires, kingdoms, villages, and forgotten lands, the message echoed:
"Any girl named Sarah must present herself at the imperial palace."
And they came.
Thousands of them.
Girls of all backgrounds, nobles daughters, commoners, merchants' daughters, and even peasants, flooded the palace gates. Some were truly named Sarah. Others… were not.
Many had changed their names overnight.
Parents pushed their daughters forward, their eyes glittering with greed and ambition. If their child became empress, their lives would be transformed forever.
Gold.
Power.
Status.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Some girls came willingly, dressed in their finest gowns, their faces painted with hope.
Others were forced.
After all, no one dared defy Emperor Alexander Roland.
Not a man known for mercy.
"No. No. No!"
Alexander's voice echoed through the grand hall for what felt like the hundredth time that week.
Another girl stood before him, trembling.
"Leave," he said coldly, not even sparing her a second glance.
Guards stepped forward, escorting her away as tears streamed down her face.
This had become routine.
Every day, hundreds, no, thousands, of girls were brought before him.
And every day…
He rejected them all.
His patience was wearing thin.
"All the magicians have failed me," he said, his voice dangerously calm. "Frauds. Every single one of them."
The hall fell silent.
"One more week," he added, his red eyes glinting faintly, "and they will all be beheaded."
Fear gripped everyone present.
*****
Later, in his private chamber, Alexander stood by the grand window, his long crimson robe sweeping across the marble floor as he gazed down at his empire.
Unmoving.
Unreadable.
Behind him, an old magician stepped forward, his body bent with age.
"My Lord," he said softly, bowing deeply. "This is no ordinary matter. The woman you seek… she exists in this world."
Alexander said nothing.
"But only fate can bring her to you."
Silence followed.
Then, without another word, the old magician bowed again and left the chamber.
Alexander remained where he stood.
Fate?
He did not believe in such things.
If she existed,
He would find her.
No matter the cost.
***********************************
Far from the palace, in a neighboring kingdom—
A princess stood before a grand mirror, admiring her reflection.
Her name… was Sarah.
"I may be the one the Great Emperor seeks, Mother," she said with a confident smile. "After all, my name is Sarah."
Behind her stood the queen, her eyes sharp and calculating.
"But he has rejected you twice," the queen replied calmly.
The princess's smile faded slightly.
"Perhaps," the queen continued, stepping closer, "you did not shine brightly enough."
The princess turned, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"What do you mean?"
The queen smiled.
"Tonight," she said, "we visit the magicians.
*******
That night..
The queen and her daughter stood before a gathering of magicians.
The air was tense.
"You all know your lives are already forfeit in a week" the queen said coldly. "The emperor has given you one week. And we all know how… heartless he can be."
No one spoke.
"I will make this simple," she continued. "You will acknowledge my daughter as the Sarah from the emperor's dream."
A ripple of shock passed through the room.
The magicians exchanged uneasy glances.
"If you do," the queen added, "you will be richly rewarded. And more importantly… you will live."
Silence.
A heavy, suffocating silence.
"The choice is yours."
It was not a choice at all.
Faced with death, the magicians lowered their heads.
They had decided.
********
The next day—
The palace was filled with anticipation.
The princess arrived, dressed in elegance that rivaled royalty itself.
She was stunning.
Graceful.
Perfect.
"She is the one, Your Majesty," one of the magicians declared.
"Yes… she is the Sarah from your dream," another added.
Their voices were steady.
Convincing.
Only a few remained silent, fear gripping their hearts.
They knew the truth.
But they also knew the emperor would not hesitate to kill them if they failed.
So they said nothing.
Alexander sat on his throne, his gaze fixed on the girl before him.
His mind… hesitated.
Something felt off.
But he could not explain it.
Her face…
Her presence…
It wasn't clear.
Yet all the magicians agreed.
Slowly, he stood.
"Your majesty, Sarah bowed gracefully,
"You will live in the palace from this day forward," he said.
The hall held its breath.
"You will be provided with everything you need."
The princess's heart raced.
"And you," he continued, "will become my empress."
A smile spread across her face.
Victory.
Finally.
"I will personally send betrothal gifts to your father," Alexander added.
The princess bowed gracefully. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Alexander watched her silently.
"She is beautiful," he admitted inwardly.
***********
Meanwhile..
At the hospital,
The smell of medicine filled the air.
Mr. Sabastin lay weakly on the bed, his body pale from blood loss.
Mrs. Catherine sat beside him, her eyes swollen from crying.
"Eat something," Sarah said gently, holding a bowl of rice and stew. "You need your strength."
Tears filled her eyes, but she forced herself to stay strong.
The doctor had said it clearly,
He was lucky to be alive.
The door opened.
Clara walked in, carrying two bags and two boxes.
She dropped them on the floor with a sigh.
"How is he?" she asked softly.
"He's getting better," Sarah replied.
Clara nodded, handing their father a bottle of water.
"I went to the palace today," she said. "With our friend Liya. Just to check if our names were on the list…"
She paused.
"And they were."
Mr. Sabastin's eyes widened slightly despite his pain.
"Don't… mention the palace again," he said weakly.
Clara fell silent.
She glanced at the boxes.
"They gave us gifts," she said quietly. "Do you think we should return them?"
Sarah's expression hardened instantly.
"That place is where Father almost died," she said coldly. "I don't want to work there anymore."
Mrs. Catherine slowly opened the boxes.
Inside were three sets of maid uniforms each, elegant hairpins, sandals…
And a signed check.
"Fifty thousand each…" she whispered.
The room fell silent.
"We need this money," she said softly, her voice breaking. "Your father's surgery… our home… our survival depends on it."
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
"If we sell our house, we will be homeless."
Sarah looked away, conflicted.
"This opportunity… may never come again."
Clara clenched her fists.
"Mother is right," Sarah finally said, her voice low.
She looked at her father.
Then at the uniforms.
"I hate the new emperor," she added quietly.
Clara placed a hand on her Dad's shoulder.
"Everything will be alright," she said.
She was the stronger one.
But none of them could see what lay ahead.
In the grand palace,
A false empress had taken Sarah's place.
And in a small hospital room,
The real Sarah was about to step into the lion's den, not as an Empress but as a maid.