Once upon a time there were two kingdoms that bordered each other. The names of these kingdoms have been lost in time, but that does not really matter for this story. It is sufficient to know that both kingdoms were quite rich, and that the rulers were very good friends.
Such good friends in fact, that they decided that their children would marry each other. The firstborn child of one of the kingdoms, a boy, would marry the firstborn of the other, a girl. This would bring the two kingdoms together into one, very rich, kingdom, which was what they wanted. And so started the engagement of Prince Jessen and Princess Maia.