**Chapter 4: The King's Court**

The cold stone corridors of King Westergaard's castle seemed to stretch on forever, the flickering torches casting eerie shadows on the walls. Iduna, still recovering from her ordeal, walked with a mixture of caution and curiosity, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. She had been in the castle for several days now, and while the locals had been kind to her, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was a guest rather than a prisoner. As she turned a corner, she caught a glimpse of the throne room, the grandeur of which took her breath away. The high ceiling, adorned with intricate carvings, seemed to soar above her, and the large windows, though darkened, hinted at the beauty of the outside world. Iduna's heart swelled with a mix of emotions - longing for her own kingdom, and a sense of wonder at the unfamiliar surroundings. King Westergaard sat on his throne, his expression as stern as ever, as Iduna entered the room. "So, Iduna, I see you're recovering well," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "I'm told you've been asking questions about our kingdom." Iduna nodded, her brown hair, still damp from her morning bath, bobbed slightly as she moved. She wore it up in a coronet braid, a testament to her own royal heritage. "I apologize, Your Majesty. I'm just trying to understand where I am and how I ended up here." The king nodded, his eyes seeming to bore into her very soul. "Very well. I'll tell you what I can. You're in the Southern Isles, a small kingdom to the south of Arendelle. You washed up on our shores after a shipwreck." Iduna's eyes widened, her mind racing with memories of the stormy night. "I see," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And what of my... companions? Did anyone else survive?" The king's expression turned somber, and for a moment, Iduna thought she saw a glimmer of compassion in his eyes. "I'm afraid not, Your Majesty. You were the only survivor." As Iduna processed the news, a knock at the door interrupted the silence. "Enter," the king called out. A servant entered, bowing low. "Your Majesty, Prince Hans requests an audience with you." The king nodded, a hint of a smile on his face. "Very well. Send him in." Iduna's curiosity was piqued as she watched Prince Hans enter the room. He was a young man with auburn hair, his eyes a deep shade of brown that seemed to hold a world of kindness. He bowed low, his movements fluid and confident. "Your Majesty," he said, his voice smooth and melodious. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important." The king waved a hand, his expression indulgent. "Not at all, Hans. I was just speaking with... Iduna, here. She's a survivor of a shipwreck." Prince Hans's eyes met Iduna's, and for a moment, they just looked at each other. Iduna felt a sense of connection to this young man, a sense that he was different from the others in the castle. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was something about him that drew her in. As they spoke, Iduna learned more about Prince Hans and his family. His brothers, Rudi, Runo, Caleb, and Lars, were all present in the kingdom, each with their own distinct personality. Iduna's heart went out to Prince Hans, who seemed to be the kindest and most compassionate of the group. But as the conversation drew to a close, Iduna couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this kingdom than met the eye. There was a sense of tension in the air, a sense that not everything was as it seemed. And as she left the throne room, she couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead for her, and for Prince Hans.