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

King Westergaard, a brutal and ruthless ruler, sat on his throne, his eyes fixed on Iduna as she stood before him. The young man who had escorted her to the throne room, Erik, stood guard beside her, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Iduna's brown hair was pulled back into a coronet braid, a testament to her royal upbringing, and she wore a simple but elegant gown that hinted at her status as a queen. "So, you're the shipwrecked queen," King Westergaard said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Welcome to our humble kingdom. I am King Westergaard, ruler of the Southern Isles." Iduna curtsied, trying to hide her fear. She had no idea what King Westergaard wanted from her, but she was determined to find out. "I'm just a traveler," she said, trying to sound as non-threatening as possible. "I was shipwrecked. I'm looking for help." The king's eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking over her battered form. "You're a long way from home, aren't you?" he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Tell me, what brings you to our shores?" Iduna hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. She decided to play it safe, for now. "I was on a voyage to Ahtohallan," she said, hoping that the king would not press her for more information. "I was seeking... guidance." The king's expression softened slightly, and he nodded. "Very well," he said. "We'll help you. But first, you need to rest. You're clearly exhausted." As Iduna was led away from the throne room, she caught sight of a young man watching her from the shadows. He was tall and lean, with a mop of messy brown hair and a pair of haunted eyes. For a moment, their gazes met, and Iduna felt a spark of connection. She had no idea who this young man was, but she sensed that he was different from the others. As she entered her quarters, Iduna was greeted by a warm fire and a soft bed. Erik, the young man who had escorted her to the throne room, stood beside her, a gentle smile on his face. "You're safe now," he said. "The king will not harm you, at least not yet." Iduna raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Erik's words. "What do you mean?" she asked. Erik glanced around the room, ensuring they were alone. "The king has a... reputation," he said, his voice low. "He is not a kind ruler, and his court is not a safe place for everyone." Iduna's heart skipped a beat as she listened to Erik's words. She had a feeling that she was in for a lot more than she had bargained for. Meanwhile, in the throne room, King Westergaard was discussing Iduna with his advisors. "She's a mysterious one," he said, his eyes narrowing. "I don't trust her." One of his advisors, a tall, thin man with a cruel smile, nodded in agreement. "She's probably a spy," he said. "We should be careful around her." King Westergaard nodded, his mind made up. "I'll keep an eye on her," he said. "But for now, let's focus on more pressing matters. The people are growing restless, and we need to keep them in line." As the king's advisors dispersed, Iduna was left to her thoughts. She knew she had to be careful in this new and unfamiliar place. She had a feeling that her life was about to become a lot more complicated. The next day, Iduna was summoned to the throne room once again. This time, she was greeted by a young man who looked vaguely familiar. He was tall and lean, with a mop of messy brown hair and a pair of haunted eyes. "Ah, you're the shipwrecked queen," he said, his voice awkward. "I'm Hans, one of the king's sons." Iduna's eyes widened as she took in Hans's appearance. He looked troubled, and his eyes seemed to hold a deep sadness. "It's nice to meet you, Hans," she said, trying to sound friendly. Hans smiled, and for a moment, Iduna saw a glimmer of hope in his eyes. But it was quickly extinguished, replaced by a look of despair. "I'm afraid I'm not like my brothers," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "They're... cruel." Iduna's heart went out to Hans, and she reached out to him. "I'm sorry," she said. "I'm sure it's not easy being part of a royal family." Hans looked up at her, his eyes searching. "You don't know what it's like," he said. "My brothers... they hate me." Iduna's grip on his arm tightened. "I'm here for you, Hans," she said. "And I'll do everything I can to help you." As she looked into Hans's eyes, Iduna felt a sense of purpose. She knew that she had to protect him from his family, and she was determined to do just that. Little did she know, her actions would set off a chain of events that would change the course of her life forever.