Richard's father was strange, some would say mad. he could come into your home, easy as you please, and rearrange all the furinture without a sound or sight or smell.
They were told to beware of the man with the box. The small blue box that he carried with him everywhere. Children believe he stole souls. Adults thought he stole hope.
When Minerva caught him how ever, she did not fear him. She made him a deal, help her and the kingdom, and he could have a ll the souls he liked. Morianu liked this deal. All the souls he wanted?
For two years he worked for the army, planting soldiers in enemy territory. Transporting spies.  He was invaluable.
One day, his box was stolen. And the people grew worried. What would the mad man with the box, do with out his box?
He fell in love. After the box had gone, his grew attached to Minerva, empress of the army. And she liked him back.  
They married in the middle of a torrential downpour and furious thunder and lighting.

They were both quite mad, and laughed at all the weather.
They had a son, who they knew was special.
They had a daughter a few years later, who had a bit of her mother's maddness.

As for the box,

well...

Prisoners never had to suffer for too long.