Matterinna sat in front of the three children, her eyes lost in the past. The room was quiet, only the sound of the raindrops outside could be heard.
"I was young and foolish back then," she said. "I thought I could handle anything that came my way, but I was wrong. I got myself into trouble, and I paid the price."
"What happened?" Max asked, his eyes fixed on Matterinna.
"I was on the run from the authorities," she said, her voice low. "I had done something stupid, and I was being hunted. I thought I could use my magic to get away, but I was wrong. They caught me, and they put me in a magical cage. They wanted to use my essence for their dark rituals."
Illyanna gasped, her eyes wide with fear. Agnes clutched her blanket tightly, her eyes brimming with tears.
"I was in that cage for days," Matterinna continued. "They tortured me, trying to break me. But I didn't give up. I knew that someone would come for me."
"Who came?" Illyanna asked.
"Your parents," Matterinna said, her eyes shining with gratitude. "They were passing by, and they heard my cries for help. They didn't hesitate, they came to my rescue. Your father fought the dark wizard, while your mother freed me from the cage. It was a battle I will never forget."
The room was silent, as the children absorbed the story. Max looked at Matterinna with newfound respect, while Illyanna and Agnes looked at her with wonder.
"You have no idea how lucky you are," Matterinna said, breaking the silence. "Your parents are heroes. They risked their lives to save me, a stranger. They are brave, kind and selfless. They are the best people I have ever met."
The children sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. They knew that their parents were not just Royal Guards, but heroes, who fought for justice and the safety of the kingdom.
Suddenly, a loud noise interrupted their thoughts. It was a knock on the door.
Matterinna stood up and went to answer it. She opened the door, and there stood Antrodos and Laussinna, soaking wet from the rain.
"Mom! Dad!" the children exclaimed, jumping up from their seats.
Antrodos and Laussinna smiled at their children, relief washing over them.
"We're sorry we missed your birthday, son," Antrodos said, embracing Max.
"It's okay, Dad," Max said, hugging him back.
Laussinna hugged the girls, kissing their foreheads. "We missed you so much," she said, her voice soft.
The family sat down, each talking over each other, excited to catch up on the latest news. They laughed, they cried, and they shared stories of their adventures.
As they sat there, warm and safe, with the rain beating against the windows, they knew that they were together, and that was all that mattered.