Chapter 6: The King's True Nature

As Iduna continued her recovery at Westgard Castle, she began to witness the harsh realities of life under King Westergaard's rule. The king's cruel treatment of his own family members and the people of the Southern Isles was a far cry from the benevolent leadership she had known in Arendelle. One day, while walking in the castle gardens, Iduna stumbled upon a group of servants huddled in a corner, whispering among themselves. They fell silent as she approached, their eyes darting nervously in her direction. Iduna sensed that they were afraid of being overheard, and she wondered what they were discussing. As she continued her stroll, she noticed Prince Lars watching her from a distance. He smiled and approached her, his eyes sparkling with warmth. "Your Majesty, I'm glad you're feeling better," he said, his voice low. "I've been wanting to talk to you about my family." Iduna's curiosity was piqued. "What about them?" she asked, her voice neutral. Prince Lars hesitated, glancing around the gardens to ensure they were alone. "My father can be... harsh," he said. "He taxes our people heavily, and those who can't pay are punished severely. And as for my brothers... well, they're not exactly kind to those around them." Iduna's eyes widened in alarm. She had suspected that King Westergaard was cruel, but she had not realized the extent of his tyranny. Just then, a commotion erupted from the castle entrance. A group of guards rushed past, followed by King Westergaard himself. He was shouting at a young servant, who cowered before him. "How dare you fail to meet your quota!" the king bellowed. "You're lazy and incompetent. You'll pay for your mistakes." Iduna watched in horror as the servant trembled, his eyes welling up with tears. She felt a surge of anger towards the king, but she knew she had to keep her emotions in check. As the king stormed off, leaving the servant shaken, Iduna turned to Prince Lars. "This is how he treats his own people?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Prince Lars nodded, his expression somber. "Yes, Your Majesty. And it's not just the servants. My brothers and I have suffered at his hands as well." Iduna's thoughts turned to Hans, who had been beaten by his brothers Rudi and Runo. She had seen the bruises on his face, and she knew that he was still recovering. "I'd like to see Hans," she said, her voice firm. "I want to make sure he's recovering well." Prince Lars nodded, and together they made their way to the dungeon. As they walked, Iduna noticed that the castle's walls were adorned with intricate carvings, depicting scenes of battles and conquests. She wondered if the king's love of war and violence had contributed to his cruel nature. When they arrived at the dungeon, Iduna was shocked by what she saw. Hans lay on a pallet, his face still bruised and swollen. But as she approached, he smiled weakly, and her heart went out to him. "I'm sorry, Hans," she said, taking his hand in hers. "I had no idea you were still suffering." Hans's eyes locked onto hers, and Iduna saw a glimmer of gratitude there. "Thank you, Your Majesty," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just having you here makes me feel better." As Iduna sat with Hans, she knew that she had to do something to help him. She would not let him suffer at the hands of his family. And as she looked into his eyes, she knew that she had found a new purpose in this strange and unforgiving land. With a newfound determination, Iduna began to formulate a plan to help Hans. She would start by gaining the trust of Prince Lars, and then she would work to expose the king's cruelty to the rest of the court. It wouldn't be easy, but she was willing to take the risk. As she left the dungeon with Prince Lars, Iduna felt a sense of hope that she had not felt in days. She knew that she had a long road ahead of her, but she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. For Hans's sake, and for the sake of the people of the Southern Isles, she would not give up.