Chapter 7: King Westergaard's Rule

King Westergaard's rule was a dark shadow that loomed over the Southern Isles. His people lived in fear of him, and his family was no exception. The king was a hard man with a heart of stone, who demanded absolute loyalty and obedience from those around him. Those who failed to meet his expectations were dealt with swiftly and severely. The king's sons, the princes of the Southern Isles, were a rough and unruly bunch. They had grown up with the idea that they were above the law, and that they could do whatever they pleased. Caleb, the crown prince, was as cold and calculating as his father. He was ambitious and power-hungry, and he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Rudi and Runo, the twins, were a pair of troublemakers. They seemed to take great pleasure in causing chaos and destruction wherever they went. They were always getting into mischief, and their pranks often left the castle staff scrambling to clean up the mess. Lars, the fourth prince, was a different story altogether. He was kind and gentle, with a compassionate heart that set him apart from his brothers. He was often the target of their teasing and bullying, but he refused to let it get him down. And then there was Hans, the youngest prince, with his Auburn hair and bright blue eyes. Hans was a sensitive soul, always getting caught in the crossfire of his brothers' cruelty. He was the 13th prince of the Southern Isles, and his position in the family hierarchy made him a target for his brothers' teasing and bullying. The king's rule was brutal and oppressive, and his people were suffering as a result. He had imposed harsh taxes on the population, and those who were unable to pay were thrown into debtors' prison. The king's soldiers patrolled the streets, enforcing his rule with an iron fist. Despite the darkness that surrounded him, Hans seemed to be holding on to hope. Iduna had seen the way he looked at his brothers, with a mixture of sadness and longing. She had seen the way he tried to stand up for himself, even when it seemed like a lost cause. As she walked through the castle corridors, Iduna caught glimpses of the princes as they went about their daily lives. Caleb and Rudi were arguing over some trivial matter, their voices raised in a heated debate. Runo was laughing with a group of courtiers, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Lars was sitting in the library, reading a book and ignoring the commotion around him. And Hans? Hans was alone, sitting in a quiet corner of the castle gardens. He was staring out at the sea, his eyes lost in thought. Iduna watched him for a moment, her heart going out to the young prince. She knew what it was like to be alone, to feel like an outsider in one's own family. The king's rule was a heavy burden to bear, and Iduna knew that it would take a toll on Hans eventually. She also knew that she had to be careful, that one misstep could mean disaster for the young prince. But as she looked at him, she knew that she had to try, for his sake and for her own. The sun was setting over the sea, casting a golden glow over the castle gardens. Iduna smiled, her heart aching with sympathy for the young prince. She knew that she had to help him, to support him in any way she could. And as she approached him, Hans looked up, his eyes locking onto hers with a mixture of surprise and desperation.