Chapter 5: A Glimpse of Cruelty

The grand halls of King Westergaard's castle were abuzz with the murmur of courtiers and advisors as they went about their daily business. Iduna, still recovering from her ordeal, was ushered into the throne room by a pair of burly guards. As she entered, her eyes scanned the room, taking in the opulent decorations and the array of royal family members gathered before her. King Westergaard, a tall and imposing figure with a stern expression, sat on his throne, his piercing blue eyes fixed on Iduna. His sons, the princes of the Southern Isles, stood before him, their faces a study in contrasts. Iduna's gaze settled on the youngest prince, Hans, who stood at the far end of the line, his auburn hair messy and his eyes cast downward. The princes, in order of their age, were Rudi, Runo, Caleb, the crown prince, and Lars, who seemed to be gazing at Hans with a mixture of concern and affection. Rudi and Runo, the eldest, were tall and lean, their faces cruel and heartless. Caleb, the crown prince, stood tall, his expression haughty and superior. Lars, on the other hand, seemed out of place among his brothers, his eyes warm and kind. As Iduna took in the scene before her, she noticed the way the princes interacted with each other. Rudi and Runo seemed to take great pleasure in teasing and belittling Hans, who looked like he was trying to shrink away from them. Lars, however, stood by Hans's side, his expression protective. The king's voice boomed through the throne room, "I have called this meeting to discuss the recent tax increases. My sons will explain the details." Caleb stepped forward, his expression cold. "The people of the Southern Isles will be required to pay an additional tax on all goods and services. Those who fail to comply will be punished severely." Iduna watched as the people in the room seemed to shrink away in fear. She noticed that Hans looked particularly uncomfortable, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. Rudi and Runo seemed to be enjoying the reaction of the crowd, their faces twisted into cruel smiles. Lars, on the other hand, looked like he was trying to apologize silently to the people. The meeting drew to a close, and Iduna caught a glimpse of the princes' personalities and relationships with each other. Rudi and Runo seemed to be the most cruel and heartless, while Lars was kind and genuinely concerned for Hans's well-being. Caleb, the crown prince, seemed to be a product of his family's harsh rule, his expression cold and calculating. As Iduna exited the throne room, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She had a feeling that she was about to get entangled in a web of intrigue and deception, one that would test her wits and her courage. But she was determined to learn more about Hans and his struggles, and to find a way to help him claim his rightful place in the kingdom. Later that day, Iduna was walking in the castle gardens when she stumbled upon Hans. He was sitting on a bench, staring at the ground with a look of despair on his face. Iduna approached him quietly, not wanting to startle him. "Hans," she said softly. "May I join you?" Hans looked up, startled, and Iduna saw a glimmer of sadness in his eyes. "Yes, Your Majesty," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Iduna sat down beside him, her brown hair worn up in a coronet braid. She looked at Hans with compassion, and he seemed to respond to her kindness. "It's hard being part of this family, isn't it?" Iduna said gently. Hans nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. "Yes, it is. They don't understand me, and they don't care." Iduna put a hand on his arm, offering what little comfort she could. "I'm here for you, Hans. And I'll do my best to help you." Hans looked up at her, a small smile on his face. "Thank you, Your Majesty. That means a lot to me." As they sat there in silence, Iduna realized that she had a role to play in Hans's life, one that went beyond mere courtesy. She was determined to help him navigate the complexities of his family's dynamics, and to find a way to bring him out of the shadow of his cruel brothers.