**Chapter 4: Descent into Madness**

The days blended together in a haze of darkness and despair as Hans' mental state continued to deteriorate. He was trapped in a living nightmare, and he couldn't escape. The restraints dug into his skin, rubbing his wrists raw, and Hans could feel the pain and discomfort spreading through his body. As the hours ticked by, Hans' mind began to fragment. He became convinced that he was being tortured, that his father was subjecting him to unspeakable cruelties. He screamed and shouted, but his cries were muffled by the thick walls of the palace. The cold, grey stone seemed to close in around him, suffocating him beneath its oppressive weight. Hans' eyes took on a wild, haunted look, and his skin grew pale and clammy. He was a shadow of the man he once was, a mere specter of his former self. His brothers, Rudi and Runo, mocked him and made his situation worse. They would taunt him, telling him that he was a failure, that he would never be worthy of their family's name. Hans would lash out at them, but his restraints held him back, rendering him helpless. Lars tried to intervene, but even he couldn't reach Hans. He would talk to him, trying to reason with him, but Hans wouldn't listen. He was lost in his own world, a world of madness and despair. As the days turned into weeks, Hans' condition worsened. He became catatonic, unable to move or speak. His eyes stared blankly into space, and his body was wracked with pain and discomfort. The palace staff whispered to each other about the prince's condition, and how he seemed to be unraveling before their very eyes. They didn't know what to do, and they were afraid of King Westergaard's wrath. Lars knew he had to act fast, or risk losing his brother forever. He decided to send a letter to Anna, Hans' ex-fiancée, asking for her help in caring for him. He hoped that she might be able to reach Hans, even when he seemed lost to himself. The letter was written and sent, and Lars could only hope that Anna would receive it, and come to help her brother. As he waited, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What if Anna couldn't help Hans? What if he was too far gone? The thought sent a shiver down Lars' spine. He knew that he had to do everything in his power to help Hans, and he was willing to try anything. He could only hope that it would be enough to save his brother from the brink of madness. As the darkness closed in around Hans, Lars held onto hope, a glimmer of light in the darkness. He knew that Anna would do everything in her power to help Hans, and he was willing to try anything to save his brother. The fate of Hans, and the future of the kingdom, hung in the balance. The sound of footsteps echoed outside Hans' room, and Lars' heart skipped a beat. He hoped that it was the start of a new chapter in Hans' life, one that would bring him back from the brink of madness. Only time would tell.