Maxim Maresh

King Maxim Maresh is the King of Arnes, husband of Emira Maresh, and father of Rhy and Kell.
==Physical description==
Maxim has dark skin, black hair, bright honey-colored eyes, and a well-kept beard. He also has the sturdy build of a typical Arnesian. As king, he normally wears royal robes and coats as well as rings and jewels.
==Personality==
Maxim is headstrong and strict and always puts the good of his people above himself. He has very definite ideas about right and wrong, and is more than prepared to make difficult choices for the good of many. Despite that, he has a kind side and loved his family dearly.
When he was younger, Maxim's ruthlessness and cunning in battle earned him the title of "The Steel Prince," something he never forgot, even in peace. 
==Biography==
===Birthday preparations===
While having tea with Emira and Rhy, he studies official documents and talks with his family about Rhy's upcoming twentieth birthday. Rhy suggests to extend the festivities to a week and party extensively, but Maxim and Emira dismiss his suggestions.
Kell then joins them after returning from Grey London, and Maxim asks him how his trip was and if he is well. Kell replies that his trip was longer than he would have liked and that he is well. Shortly afterward, Kell and Rhy excuse themselves and leave Maxim and Emira alone in the courtyard.
The next day, Maxim asks Kell to deliver a letter to White London.
===The Black Night===
The following evening, Rhy's birthday ball takes place. Maxim and Emira greet the guests, among them Lila Bard who notices that they have been enchanted.
Later that night, Astrid Dane possesses Maxim and issues an order to arrest Kell, stating that he committed treason and kidnapped and tried to kill Rhy. When Astrid and Athos Dane are defeated and the black stone's magic dispelled, Kell and Lila return to Red London and are promptly arrested and brought to the king and queen.
Maxim orders all guards to leave before he demands to know from Kell what happened. Kell tells him and Emira everything, from his smuggling to the Danes' plan to conquer Red London and tear down the seals; he also assures them that the twins are now dead—he defeated them with Lila's help.
The king and queen are curious about Lila, wanting to know who she is and where she comes from; Lila lies that she arrived per ship a few days ago and decided to help Kell save his home. She also calls them out for treating her and Kell like criminals, but her words fall on deaf ears. Maxim and Emira then inquire about Rhy, and Kell informs them that he is well. As soon as he and Lila are released, Kell will get him.
===The Essen Tasch===
In February 1820, Maxim has lunch with Emira, Rhy, Lisane, and Parlo in the sunroom. They are going through the preparations for the Essen Tasch again and try to find fitting suites for their foreign royal guests to stay. Kell briefly joins them and when he is about to leave, Maxim stops him and sends him to Grey London for a letter delivery. He tells Kell not to stay too long and orders Staff to wait for Kell at his return point.
Later, Staff and Hastra bring Kell to Maxim, and Kell gives him George IV's letter and informs him about George III's passing.
==Relationships==
===Emira Maresh===
===Rhy Maresh===
===Kell Maresh===
==Appearances==
* Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince
* Shades of Magic: Night of Knives
* Shades of Magic: The Rebel Army
* A Life Erased 
* Brothers
* A Darker Shade of Magic 
* A Gathering of Shadows
* A Conjuring of Light
* The Fragile Threads of Power 
==Gallery==
TSP Issue 1, SDCC Ashcan Preview.png
TSP Maxim Maresh character design.png|Maxim's character design.
TSP Maxim.png|Young Maxim
==Titles and styles==
* — March 1820: His Majesty The King
==Trivia==
<tabber>
General=
* He has a deep voice.
|-|
Etymology=
* "Maxim" is a Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian name.Behind the Name — Maxim It is derived from the Latin name "Maximus" which means "greatest."Behind the Name — Maximus
</tabber>
==References==
pt-br:Maxim Maresh
Category:Characters
Category:Male characters
Category:House of Maresh
Category:Red London inhabitants
Category:The Steel Prince characters
Category:A Darker Shade of Magic characters
Category:A Gathering of Shadows characters
Category:A Conjuring of Light characters
Category:Deceased characters