Mary Argos was born on April 23, 1836, into the noble Argos family. She grew up in wealth, attending private school and travelling abroad at a young age. At sixteen, Mary was introduced to the family business, which involved trading goods from around the world. Her parents and their advisors taught her the basics of running the company. Mary’s intelligence, social skills, and fashionable style made her an ideal spokesperson for the business. She was already a highly acclaimed businesswoman before meeting Alexander Mervell. He was a perfect match, and he also came from a noble family with an established business. After a year of courtship, they decided to marry on February 2, 1855. The wedding took place in the town of Lutheria and was a grand event, with the main streets decorated like a royal wedding. Despite their quick marriage, the couple proved to be a great match, both romantically and intellectually.

During the early years of their marriage, Mary and Alexander focused on their careers. Alexander was a banker and supported Mary with her business. This collaboration allowed them to spend time together despite their busy schedules. Mary felt she had established her business and was ready for the next chapter in her life: starting a family. She hired staff to handle the practical aspects of her job, allowing her to focus on having and raising children. She maintained her position but moved into a leadership role, which meant she could be at home more and travel less. Mary welcomed their first child, Paulus Mervell, in 1858 and their second, Felix Mervell, in 1862. She also convinced Alexander to take a step back and be at home for their children so they wouldn’t have to grow up with nannies and tutors, which was common for their social class at the time.