Majestic Misstaps

Chapter 1

Khalisar, the capital of Almara
Sultan's Citadel
December

Princess Lisa of Almara and Princess Jennie of Eldoria , both heirs to their respective thrones, met for the first time at an international royal convention in Paris. Among the grandeur and formality of the event, their first conversation surprisingly revolved around something simple: shoes. They were seated next to each other during a lavish dinner with other royals, and what started as a casual exchange about footwear quickly blossomed into a connection that neither had anticipated.

Over the next week, Lisa and Jennie spent nearly every moment together, sneaking out from under the watchful eyes of their security teams. They explored the city, shared late-night conversations, and eventually, began sleeping in each other's hotel rooms, relishing the rare freedom they found in each other's company. It was on the day of their departure that Lisa realized something profound—she had fallen in love with Jennie. The thought both exhilarated and terrified her.

Once back in Almara, Lisa couldn't stop thinking about Jennie. She discreetly inquired around the palace for Jennie's contact information, and after finally obtaining it, she faced a new dilemma. Should she confess her feelings? What if Jennie didn't feel the same way? What if Jennie didn't even like girls in that way? The uncertainty gnawed at her, and she decided to play it safe, at least for now.

Lisa sent a friendly message, asking if they could keep in touch. To her delight, Jennie responded warmly. Their communication quickly became frequent, with regular late-night FaceTime calls. They spoke about everything, from their daily lives to their dreams and aspirations. Lisa would sometimes send Jennie thoughtful gifts—flowers, bags, makeup—which Jennie would post on her social media, always expressing her gratitude. Seeing Jennie happy brought Lisa immense joy, yet she couldn't help but wonder if there was a chance Jennie felt the same way she did.

As December approached, Lisa received news that filled her with excitement. Her father announced that her brother, the Crown Prince, was getting married. This meant that Princess Jennie would be invited to the wedding—a perfect opportunity for Lisa to see her again, after all these months of yearning from afar.

The week before her brother's wedding, Princess Lisa was consumed by preparation—not just for the ceremony, but for the moment she would finally see Princess Jennie again. She found herself eating less, spending more time in the gym and spa than in her office. All of this effort was for one reason: she wanted to look her absolute best for Jennie. The idea of confessing her feelings had taken root in her mind, but doubt lingered. After all, their relationship had been confined to FaceTime calls, miles apart. Could Jennie possibly feel the same way?

Despite her worries, Lisa knew she had to present herself impeccably, if not for Jennie, then for the people of Almara. For the solemnization ceremony, she chose to wear a white baju kurung Pahang, a traditional Malay dress that made her look ethereal. Among the other princesses, it was Lisa who drew the most attention, her presence luminous.

As she stepped into the grand ballroom, her eyes immediately began searching for Princess Jennie. To her disappointment, Jennie and her family were nowhere to be seen. Lisa and her siblings were guided to their seats, positioned directly in front of the marriage throne, resplendent in gold—the color of Almarian royalty. They waited patiently for the solemnization ceremony to begin.

Leaning to her left, Lisa whispered into her sister's ear, "Where are all the other guests?"

Princess Alana, who was three years older than Lisa, smiled softly. "It's a sacred ceremony, Lisa. Only immediate and extended family are allowed to attend."

Lisa bit her lip, trying to hide her disappointment. "So, when will Jennie be here?"

"She'll be here for the wedding reception tonight," Alana replied, her smile widening. She was glad her sister had found such a close friend.

Lisa nodded, reassuring herself. If she had waited six months to see Jennie, what were a few more hours?

On her right, her brother Prince Ahmad leaned in, a teasing glint in his eye. "What's with you and Princess Jennie, anyway?"

"What? She's my friend," Lisa replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Wow, I didn't know you could make friends," Ahmad teased, earning a sharp slap on his thigh from Lisa. He winced, but a grin spread across his face. "I'm not a loser," Lisa muttered with a small laugh, careful not to let it out too loudly.

As the solemnization ceremony progressed, Lisa did her best to focus on the event at hand. The rhythmic recitation of vows, the soft murmurs of prayers, and the graceful presence of her brother and his bride-to-be filled the room with an air of sanctity. But Lisa's thoughts kept wandering to what the evening would bring. She couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to see Jennie again after all these months, to finally be close enough to feel her presence, to see that radiant smile in person.

As the ceremony concluded, the royal family and their guests moved on to the more informal parts of the day. Lisa tried to engage in conversation with her relatives, but her heart wasn't in it. Her mind was fixated on the upcoming reception.