Max, Illyanna, and Agnes finished their dinner and cleared the table, but there was a sense of unease that lingered in the air. They all knew what was on each other's minds, but none of them wanted to be the first to say it.
Finally, Max spoke up. "Matterinna, do you know when our parents will be back?"
Matterinna's expression softened, and she looked at the three children with a mix of sadness and compassion. "I'm sorry, my little ones," she said, her voice gentle. "Your parents are still away for work. They're working as Royal Guards for the king, and they won't be back for a while."
Illyanna's face fell. "Again? Why do they have to work so much?"
Agnes was silent, but her eyes were brimming with tears.
Max put a hand on each of his sisters' shoulders, trying to offer some comfort. "It's okay, we'll manage. We've managed before."
But deep down, he knew it wasn't okay. He missed his parents terribly, and he knew his sisters did too.
Matterinna saw the sadness in their faces and moved to wrap an arm around each of them. "I know it's hard, my darlings," she said, her voice soothing. "But your parents love you very much, and they're working hard to keep the kingdom safe."
Illyanna looked up at Matterinna with tears in her eyes. "But we need them too," she said, her voice choked with emotion.
Agnes nodded, still silent.
Matterinna pulled them both into a tight hug. "I know, my loves," she said. "But you have each other, and you have me. We'll take care of each other until your parents return."
Max felt a sense of gratitude wash over him as he watched Matterinna comfort his sisters. He knew that he could always count on her, and he was grateful for the way she had become a surrogate mother to them all.
As they hugged and comforted each other, Max, Illyanna, and Agnes all felt a sense of longing for their parents. But they also felt a sense of belonging, knowing that they were not alone in their struggles. They would get through this together, as a family.