Chapter 1 The Ball

Maxwell was leaning on a balcony looking out at the land that the Trevelyan family owned, he could hear the music from the band and people talking. He was attending one of his mothers 'parties. He hated them, he hated dressing up and mixing with the nobility he would much rather be training with a sword or riding. His mind was thinking up ways to prank the nobles but his thoughts were interrupted when someone leaned on the balcony next to him. He looked over and couldn't stop a sharp intake of breath. Quite possibly the most beautiful girl was leaning next to him, She was tanned skin, with a slim but curvy body. Her black hair was tied back into a short ponytail. She was wearing a fine golden and black dress.

"He Hello there." Max managed to say through the lump in his throat.

"Hello, just came out to take a breather, hope you don't mind?" She asked, Max shook his head he definitely didn't mind.

"Do you have a name, my lord?" She asked.

"Maxwell Trevelyan but you can call me Max my lady?." Taking her hand and kissing her hand.

"Josephine Montilyet but you may call me Josephine." She said, smiling at him.

"A pleasure to meet you Josephine." He frowned trying to remember where he heard the name before and then it clicked.

"Your family trades with mine doesn't it." He had very little to do with the family business, Josephine nodded.

"Yes we buy your grapes for our wine as well as some other deals." She said inching closer to him, she was quite taken with Max. He was handsome for a 14 year old, she was only a year older but that didn't bother her she knew of bigger age gaps. His blonde hair was cut short, he had gorgeous green eyes that had a hint of mischief in them, he was also quite muscular. And the fact that he told her to call him Max instead of my Lord spoke volumes of his character, she knew a lot of kids his age would use their titles every chance they got.

"Tell me a little about yourself Max, this is the first time I've come to one of your mothers parties."

"Not much to tell really. I've been training with a sword since I was 8 as well as riding. Mother's been teaching me about proper court behaviour, which is why I'm here." He told her he was about to ask her about herself when he was interrupted.

"Maxie! There you are." Evelyn Trevelyan his younger sister said walking out onto the balcony, Max groaned his sister just had to interrupt.

"Mother is looking for you, she has someone you must meet." She said walking over to Max and linking arms with him. She made a noise in her throat and gestured with her head to Josephine.

"Josephine allowed me to introduce my baby sister Evelyn." He said smiling, Evelyn glared at him, he knew she hated being introduced as a baby sister.

"Twin sister." She said, shaking Josephine's hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Josephine said.

"Josephine come mother has someone she wants you to meet." another voice said coming onto the balcony.

"Coming Yvette." She said, she looked at Max.

"I'll see you later Max." She said following Yvette.

"So Max anything interesting to say?" Evelyn asked her brother, smiling, she knew her brother and knew he was quite taken with Josephine.

"Nothing I care to say to you baby sister." He replied, she huffed and led him to their mother Alexandra Trevelyan. It took a few minutes for them to find their mother but the sight made Max's mouth twitch in a smile. His mother was talking to Josephine and an older woman who Max could guess was Josephine's mother because the two looked alike. His mother perked up when she saw him.

"Maxwell, come here." She said gesturing he slipped out of Evelyn's arm and walked over to his mother.

"Maxwell, I would like you to meet Violet Montilyet and her daughter Josephine." Max ever the prankster decided to have a little fun with Josephine.

"Delighted to meet you Josephine." He said taking her hand and kissing it as he had done before, Josephine giggled catching on to what he was doing, Evelyn just rolled her eyes.

"Pleasure is all mine Max." She said, Alexandra's eyebrow shot up; she knew only those closest to her son called him Max.

Violet nodded to Alexandra and the two slipped always leaving Alexandra grabbing Evelyn by the arm to lead her away as well despite her protests. Josephine smiled at Max.

"Guess we were meant to meet." She said, Max laughed.

"It would appear so." Max's ears perked up when the band started playing dancing music and couples swarmed the dance floor. Max held out his hand.

"Would you do the honour of a dance Josephine." Josephine smiled and took his hand.

"The honour would be mine Max." Leading him to the dance floor. The two danced the night away.

For the next two years Max and Josephine would see each other whenever they could get the chance and formed a very close relationship. Evelyn and Josephine became fast friends as well, the two becoming as close as sisters. Max continued his lessons with the sword becoming a very skilled and deadly swordsman, he was also one of the best horse riders in the Free Marches.

It was all going great for Max as he and his sister took a week off for camping, one night when camping in a cave they were awoken by roars that seemed to come from nightmares and everything changed for Max.

Notes:

Not a very long chapter mainly because I only wanted to establish that Max and Josephine knew each other and started a relationship before Inquisition started. Next chapter will be the start of Inquisition. Also could not find either Max's or Josephine's mothers names only Lady Trevelyan our Lady Montilyet if anyone knows please leave a comment