**Chapter 4: Descent into Madness**

Hans's eyes had lost their sparkle, his smile now a distant memory. The prince who had once charmed his way through the courts of Europe now sat in his room, staring blankly at the wall. His mind was a jumble of thoughts, each one more disturbing than the last. The ridicule and scorn of his family had taken its toll, and Hans was beginning to unravel. As he sat there, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. He would catch glimpses of his brothers out of the corner of his eye, their faces twisted into cruel grins. He would hear their mocking voices, echoing in his mind long after they had left the room. The palace, once a symbol of power and prestige, now felt like a prison. The cold stone walls seemed to close in on him, suffocating him with their oppressive weight. King Westergaard's words cut deep, a constant reminder of Hans's failures. "You're a disappointment," he would say, his voice dripping with disdain. "You'll never be a true prince, not with your weak and feeble mind." The king's cruelty was not limited to his words. He had a reputation for being ruthless, crushing any opposition to his rule with an iron fist. The people of the Southern Isles lived in fear of him, and his sons were no better. Hans's brothers were equally cruel, each one trying to outdo the others in their verbal abuse. They would taunt him, calling him names and making fun of his failed attempt to take over Arendelle. Caleb, the crown prince, was the worst of them all. He would sneer at Hans, his eyes filled with contempt. "You're not even worthy of being a member of this family," he would say. As the days turned into weeks, Hans's condition worsened. He stopped shaving, stopped bathing, and stopped caring about his appearance. His hair was matted and dirty, his clothes stained and torn. He would pace back and forth in his room, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge and retribution. His family was at a loss for what to do with him. They had never seen him like this before, and they didn't know how to react. King Westergaard was furious, his patience wearing thin. "Do something with him," he would shout at his servants. "Get him out of my sight." Lars, however, was concerned. He had always been the most empathetic of the brothers, and he could see that Hans was struggling. He would try to talk to him, to reason with him, but Hans would just push him away. Lars knew that he had to do something to help Hans, but he didn't know what. As the situation continued to deteriorate, Lars made a decision. He would send for Anna, the queen of Arendelle, who had been hurt by Hans's betrayal but might be willing to help him. Lars hoped that Anna's presence would help to calm Hans down, to bring him back from the brink of madness. He called for his messenger, a loyal servant who was tasked with delivering important messages. "Send for Queen Anna of Arendelle," he said, his voice firm and resolute. "I need her help to save my brother." The messenger nodded, his face set in a determined expression. "I will not fail, Your Highness," he said. As the messenger set off on his journey, Lars couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. What would Anna say when she arrived? Would she be willing to help Hans, or would she turn her back on him? Only time would tell, but for now, Lars could only wait and hope that Anna would be able to help his brother. He knew that Hans's road to recovery would be long and difficult, but with Anna's help, he might just have a chance to redeem himself. The Southern Isles, a land ravaged by poverty and despair, seemed to be descending into chaos, and Lars knew that he had to act quickly to prevent a complete breakdown of order.