**The Breaking Point**

The grand hall was abuzz with the murmur of conversation and the clinking of glasses, but Iduna's attention was focused on the princes of the southern isles. They were gathered around a large table, their faces flushed with excitement as they laughed and joked with each other. Iduna's eyes narrowed as she watched them, her mind recalling the stories she had heard about their cruel behavior. As she entered the hall, the princes caught her eye and began to snicker among themselves. Iduna's heart sank, sensing that they were waiting for her to make a mistake so they could pounce. She took a deep breath and made her way to the table, her brown hair, worn up in a coronet braid, gleaming in the candlelight. Hans, the prince who had been struggling to find his place in the world, was noticeably absent from the gathering. Iduna had heard that he was often the target of his brothers' ridicule and scorn, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the young man. The king, seated at the head of the table, raised his glass in a toast. "To my sons, the princes of the southern isles," he boomed, his voice echoing off the walls. "May they always be strong and wise leaders." The princes cheered and clinked their glasses together, but Iduna's eyes were fixed on the empty chair beside them. "Where is Hans?" she asked, her voice polite but concerned. The king's expression turned cold. "He is... indisposed," he said, his tone dismissive. Iduna's eyes narrowed, sensing that something was wrong. She glanced at the princes, who were watching her with a mixture of curiosity and hostility. Caleb, the crown prince, spoke up, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Hans is a bit of a disappointment, Your Majesty," he said. "He's not quite... fit to be a prince." The other princes snickered and whispered among themselves, their faces twisted with cruelty. Iduna's heart sank, realizing that they were ganging up on their brother. Later that evening, Iduna received a visit from the queen, Hans's mother. The queen's face was lined with worry, and her eyes were filled with concern. "Iduna, I need to speak with you about Hans," she said, her voice low and urgent. "He's been through a terrible ordeal, and I'm not sure he can take much more." Iduna's heart sank, sensing that something was wrong. "What happened?" she asked, her voice firm. The queen hesitated, her eyes darting around the room. "He was humiliated by his brothers in a public meeting," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's been devastated ever since." Iduna's anger flared, but she kept her cool, her voice firm. "I'll do everything I can to help him," she said, her tone reassuring. The next day, Iduna learned that Hans had been found hanging in his chambers, a rope around his neck. He was unconscious but alive. Iduna rushed to his side, her heart racing with worry. The queen was already there, tears streaming down her face. Iduna took charge, directing the servants to fetch water and towels. She gently removed the rope from Hans's neck and began to tend to his wounds. The queen watched, helpless, as Iduna worked. At her suggestion, the queen asked Iduna to become Hans's caretaker. Iduna agreed, knowing that she had to help him through this difficult time. As she cared for Hans, Iduna used her motherly instincts to comfort him. She sat beside him, holding his hand and talking softly to reassure him that everything would be okay. Days passed, and Hans slowly began to recover. Iduna was by his side every step of the way, nursing him back to health. She gave him a sponge bath when he became unwashed and smelly, her hands gentle as she cleaned his skin. Iduna's brown hair, worn up in a coronet braid, was a comforting sight for Hans. He looked up at her, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Iduna," he said, his voice weak but sincere. "I don't know what I would do without you." Iduna smiled, her heart filled with compassion. "You'll never have to find out, Hans," she said, her voice firm. "I'm here for you, always." As Hans recovered, Iduna knew that she had to do more to help him. She began to formulate a plan to protect him from his family's cruelty and to bring about change in the southern isles. The journey ahead would be difficult, but Iduna was determined to see it through.