**Chapter 5: The Harsh Reality**

As Iduna walked through the market streets of the southern isles, she was struck by the stark contrast between the beauty of the land and the suffering of its people. The once-thriving market was now a shadow of its former self, with empty stalls and downtrodden vendors. The people, too, seemed worn down, their eyes cast downward as they scurried about their daily business. King Westergaard's harsh taxes and brutal suppression had taken its toll on the kingdom. Iduna saw the fear and resentment in the eyes of the people, and her heart went out to them. She wondered how a ruler could be so cruel and heartless. As she walked, Iduna noticed the castle guards patrolling the streets, their presence a reminder of the king's iron grip on the kingdom. She saw a group of children playing in the distance, but their laughter and shouts were tinged with a sense of desperation. Iduna's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a heated argument between a merchant and a guard. The merchant, a stout man with a bushy beard, was gesturing wildly as he spoke to the guard. "I'm telling you, I paid my taxes! I have the receipts right here," the merchant said, holding up a sheaf of papers. The guard sneered, his hand on the hilt of his sword. "I don't care about your receipts, merchant. The king's men say you owe more, and that's all that matters." Iduna watched as the merchant was dragged away, his protests growing fainter as he disappeared into the darkness. She felt a surge of anger and sadness, knowing that this was just one example of the many injustices perpetrated by King Westergaard. As she continued her walk, Iduna came across a group of people gathered around a makeshift stall. The vendor, an old woman with a kind face, was selling what little produce she had left. Iduna noticed that the people were bartering for goods, trading what little they had for food and other necessities. The old woman looked up and caught Iduna's eye. "Welcome, Your Majesty," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Come, take some of my goods. You look like you could use a warm meal." Iduna smiled, touched by the old woman's kindness. "Thank you, but I have enough to eat. I just wanted to see how the people are faring." The old woman nodded, her eyes clouding over. "It's hard, Your Majesty. The king takes and takes, leaving us with nothing. We're just trying to survive." Iduna nodded, her heart heavy with sorrow. She knew that she had to do something to help these people, but she wasn't sure what. She could only hope that her presence here would somehow make a difference. As she walked back to the castle, Iduna couldn't shake the feeling of despair that had settled over her. She knew that she had to act, but she was just one person against the might of King Westergaard's rule. Still, she was determined to try, no matter the cost. The sun was setting over the kingdom, casting a golden glow over the castle and its surroundings. But Iduna knew that the beauty of the scene was just a facade, hiding the ugliness and suffering that lay beneath. She steeled herself for what was to come, knowing that she would have to confront the harsh reality of King Westergaard's rule head-on.