**Chapter 11: Humiliation**

The grand hall was abuzz with the murmur of conversation and the clinking of glasses, but Iduna's attention was focused on the princes of the southern isles. They were gathered around a large table, their faces flushed with excitement as they laughed and joked with each other. Iduna's eyes narrowed as she watched them, her mind recalling the stories she had heard about their cruel behavior. As she entered the hall, the princes caught her eye and began to snicker among themselves. Iduna's heart sank, sensing that they were waiting for her to make a mistake so they could pounce. She took a deep breath and made her way to the table, her brown hair, worn up in a coronet braid, gleaming in the candlelight. Hans, the prince who had been struggling to find his place in the world, was noticeably absent from the gathering. Iduna had heard that he was often the target of his brothers' ridicule and scorn, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the young man. The king, seated at the head of the table, raised his glass in a toast. "To my sons, the princes of the southern isles," he boomed, his voice echoing off the walls. "May they always be strong and wise leaders." The princes cheered and clinked their glasses together, but Iduna's eyes were fixed on the empty chair beside them. "Where is Hans?" she asked, her voice polite but concerned. The king's expression turned cold. "He is... indisposed," he said, his tone dismissive. Iduna's eyes narrowed, sensing that something was wrong. She glanced at the princes, who were watching her with a mixture of curiosity and hostility. Caleb, the crown prince, spoke up, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Hans is a bit of a disappointment, Your Majesty," he said. "He's not quite... fit to be a prince." The other princes snickered and whispered among themselves, their faces twisted with cruelty. Iduna's heart sank, realizing that they were ganging up on their brother. Rudi, the eldest prince, stood up, a sneer on his face. "Yes, Hans is a bit of a weakling," he said, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "He's not worthy of our family's name." The hall fell silent, with all eyes on the princes and Iduna. She felt a surge of anger on Hans's behalf, but she kept her cool, her voice icy. "I think Hans has shown courage and resilience in the face of adversity," she said, her tone firm. "Perhaps we should be supporting him, rather than tearing him down." The princes laughed, their faces twisted with contempt. Runo, the second prince, spoke up, his voice mocking. "Oh, look at the queen, defending her precious Hans," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Iduna's eyes flashed with anger, but she bit back her retort, refusing to give the princes the satisfaction of getting under her skin. Instead, she turned to the king, her voice polite but firm. "I think I've heard enough for one evening, Your Majesty," she said, her tone icy. "If you'll excuse me, I have an early appointment tomorrow." The king nodded, his face expressionless. "Very well, Your Majesty," he said. "I trust you are finding our hospitality to your liking?" Iduna's smile was tight-lipped. "Indeed, Your Majesty," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I am learning a great deal about your kingdom and its people." As she left the grand hall, Iduna couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. She would not rest until she had found a way to help Hans and the others, to bring about justice and compassion to the southern isles. Later that evening, Iduna received a visit from the queen, Hans's mother. The queen's face was lined with worry, and her eyes were filled with concern. "Iduna, I need to speak with you about Hans," she said, her voice low and urgent. "He's been through a terrible ordeal, and I'm not sure he can take much more." Iduna's heart sank, sensing that something was wrong. "What happened?" she asked, her voice firm. The queen hesitated, her eyes darting around the room. "He was humiliated by his brothers in a public meeting," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's been devastated ever since." Iduna's anger flared, but she kept her cool, her voice firm. "I'll do everything I can to help him," she said, her tone reassuring. "But I need to know more about what's going on." The queen nodded, her eyes filling with tears. "I'll tell you everything I can," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "But you have to promise me you'll help him." Iduna nodded, her heart filled with compassion. "I promise," she said, her voice firm. "I'll do everything I can to help Hans." Little did Iduna know, Hans's ordeal was only just beginning. His brothers' cruelty would soon push him to the breaking point, and Iduna would be forced to intervene to save him from himself.