**Chapter 4: Recovery**

The warm sunshine and gentle breeze of the southern isles enveloped Iduna as she stepped out of her room, feeling the warmth on her skin for the first time in days. She took a deep breath, savoring the scent of blooming flowers and fresh air. After the shipwreck, she had been battered and bruised, but King Westergaard's servants had taken good care of her. She was grateful for their kindness and began to regain her strength. As she walked through the castle gardens, Iduna noticed the stark contrast between the beauty of nature and the harsh reality of King Westergaard's rule. The people of the southern isles seemed downtrodden, their faces etched with worry and fear. Iduna's heart went out to them, and she wondered what had led to this state of affairs. Back in her room, Iduna spent the morning reading and writing in her journal. She was determined to keep her mind sharp and her memories alive. As she wrote, she couldn't help but think of Elsa and Anna, her daughters, whom she missed dearly. She wondered what they would think if they knew she was in the southern isles, and what they would say if they saw the way the people lived here. The sound of a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. "Enter," she said, looking up from her journal. A servant, a young woman with a kind face, came in with a tray of food. "Your lunch, Your Majesty," she said, setting the tray down on a nearby table. Iduna smiled, grateful for the food and the company. "Thank you, Lisbeth," she said, using the servant's name, which she had learned earlier. "You've been taking such good care of me. I don't know what I would do without you." Lisbeth smiled back, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "It's our pleasure, Your Majesty. We're just glad you're recovering well." As Iduna ate her lunch, she thought about her plans for the future. She knew she couldn't stay in the southern isles forever, but for now, it was a safe haven. She was determined to make the most of her time here and to help those in need. The rest of the day passed quickly, with Iduna taking a walk in the gardens and meeting with King Westergaard and his court. She was careful to keep her wits about her, aware that she was a guest in this kingdom and that her actions could have consequences. As the sun began to set, Iduna returned to her room, feeling tired but hopeful. She knew that she still had a long way to go, but for the first time in weeks, she felt like she was on the right path. That evening, Iduna had a chance encounter with Prince Hans in the castle corridors. He looked troubled, and Iduna sensed that something was wrong. "Prince Hans, is everything all right?" she asked, concern etched on her face. Hans hesitated, then shook his head. "I'm fine, Your Majesty. Just a bit...preoccupied." Iduna nodded, understanding. "If you ever need to talk, I'm here to listen," she said, smiling kindly. Hans smiled back, his eyes lighting up with gratitude. "Thank you, Your Majesty. That means a lot to me." As they parted ways, Iduna couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to Prince Hans. She sensed that he was not like his brothers, and she wondered what the future held for him. The next few days passed without incident, with Iduna continuing to recover and get to know the people of the southern isles. But she knew that this calm was only temporary, and that soon she would have to face the harsh realities of King Westergaard's rule.