**Chapter 8: Confronting Hans**

As Anna stepped into the dimly lit room, the air thick with the scent of sweat and despair, she was met with a sight that made her heart ache. Hans, the man she once loved, lay restrained on a bed, his eyes wild and unfocused. The straitjacket that bound him seemed to constrict his very being, and the look of desperation in his eyes was a far cry from the charming prince she once knew. Anna's feet seemed to move of their own accord, carrying her closer to the bed as if drawn by an unseen force. She felt a lump form in her throat as she took in the sight of Hans's disheveled hair, his pale skin, and the dark circles under his eyes. The sound of his labored breathing filled the room, a stark contrast to the silence that had once been so comfortable between them. "Hans," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Hans's head jerked towards her, his eyes locking onto hers with a mixture of desperation and longing. "Anna," he whispered back, his voice trembling. "Anna, help me." Anna's heart went out to him, and she felt a surge of determination. She would help Hans, no matter what it took. She would bring him back from the brink of madness, and she would make sure that he received the help he needed. As she reached out to touch his hand, Hans's eyes flashed with a hint of recognition, and for a moment, Anna saw a glimmer of the man she once knew. But it was fleeting, and soon his eyes clouded over again, leaving only a distant look in their place. Anna's gaze fell upon the restraints that bound Hans to the bed, and she felt a pang of anger. What had driven him to this point? What had happened to the man she once loved? She turned to the guard standing in the corner of the room, his face impassive. "How long has he been like this?" she asked, her voice firm. The guard hesitated before responding, "It's been weeks, Your Highness. He's been...unstable. Violent outbursts, self-mutilation...the king's men have had to restrain him to keep him from harming himself or others." Anna's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with questions. What had caused Hans's descent into madness? And what could she do to help him now? As she looked at Hans, she saw the faintest glimmer of recognition in his eyes, and she knew that she had to try. She had to reach out to him, to bring him back from the brink of madness. "Hans," she said softly, her voice a gentle whisper. "I'm here. I'm here to help you." Hans's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Anna saw a flicker of hope. But it was fleeting, and soon his eyes clouded over again, leaving only a distant look in their place. Anna's heart ached, but she refused to give up. She would help Hans, no matter what it took. She would bring him back from the darkness, and she would make sure that he received the help he needed. As she stood there, her hand on Hans's, Anna felt a sense of determination wash over her. She would not let him go. She would not let him slip away into the darkness. She would fight for him, no matter what it took. The sound of the guard's footsteps as he left the room seemed to fade into the background as Anna focused on Hans. She was all that mattered now. She was his only hope. And she would not let him down.