**Chapter 11: The Crown Prince's Disdain**

As Iduna continued to care for Hans, she began to notice the complex dynamics within the royal family. Caleb, the crown prince, seemed to embody the harsh and unforgiving nature of King Westergaard. His disdain for his younger brothers was palpable, and Iduna could sense the fear and intimidation that radiated from him. One day, as Iduna was helping Hans with his physical therapy, Caleb appeared in the doorway, his eyes scanning the room with a mixture of disdain and superiority. "What's all this coddling, Father has been telling me about?" he asked, his voice dripping with condescension. Iduna stood up straight, her brown hair styled in a coronet braid, and her eyes met Caleb's with a calm and steady gaze. "I'm just trying to help Hans recover from his intoxication, Your Highness," she explained, her voice firm but respectful. Caleb snorted, his expression unyielding. "He's a prince, after all. He should be able to handle his liquor. It's weakness to be so fragile." Hans looked down, his face flushing with embarrassment, and Iduna could sense his vulnerability. She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, and he looked up at her, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Caleb, that's not fair," Lars said, his voice gentle but firm. "Hans is our brother, and we should be supporting him, not belittling him." Caleb turned to Lars, his expression cold and dismissive. "You're just saying that because you're weak, Lars. You always take the easy way out." Lars's face fell, and Iduna could see the hurt in his eyes. She felt a surge of anger towards Caleb, but she controlled it, knowing that she had to navigate the complex web of relationships within the royal family. As Caleb turned to leave, Iduna caught a glimpse of the crown prince's true nature. He was a product of King Westergaard's harsh and unforgiving rule, and she realized that she had to be careful around him. Meanwhile, King Westergaard appeared at the door, his face stern and unyielding. "Iduna, I've been told that you've been spending too much time with Hans. You need to focus on your own recovery, not coddle him." Iduna stood her ground, her voice firm but respectful. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, I'm not coddling Hans. I'm just trying to help him recover from his intoxication. He's a kind and gentle soul, and he deserves our compassion and understanding." The king's expression remained unyielding, but Iduna could sense a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. She knew that she had to tread carefully, but she was determined to help Hans and Lars bring about change to the southern isles. As the king turned to leave, Iduna felt a sense of determination rising up within her. She would continue to care for Hans, and she would help him find his voice and stand up to his family. And with Lars by his side, Iduna knew that Hans had a chance to overcome his struggles and find his place in the world. Iduna smiled, feeling a sense of hope that she hadn't felt in a long time. She would not let Caleb's disdain or King Westergaard's harsh rule deter her from her goal. She would help Hans and Lars bring about change, no matter what it took.