**Chapter 4: Descent into Madness**

The days passed, and Hans's mental state began to deteriorate rapidly. His behavior became increasingly erratic and violent, and his family, fearing for their safety, decided to have him restrained to a bed. The palace staff was tasked with subduing Hans and securing him to the bed, a task they approached with caution. The heavy restraints dug deep into his skin, leaving raw and chafed wounds that would need to be treated. As the restraints were tightened, Hans's screams echoed through the palace halls, a haunting reminder of the darkness that had consumed him. His eyes, once bright and charming, had dulled, and his skin was pale and clammy. The palace staff moved with a quiet efficiency, their faces set in determined lines as they worked to secure Hans to the bed. The room was small and dimly lit, the only sound the soft creaking of the old wooden bedframe and Hans's labored breathing. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and despair, and Anna, if she had been there, would have recognized the stench of a mind unraveling. Lars, Hans's brother and third in line to the throne, watched his sibling's descent into madness with a mixture of concern and calculation. He knew that Hans's condition reflected poorly on their family, and that something needed to be done to prevent further scandal. With this in mind, Lars made a decision. He would reach out to Anna, the princess of Arendelle, who had been so cruelly deceived by Hans's charming facade. Lars's letter to Anna was a plea, a desperate attempt to appeal to her sense of responsibility and familial duty. He described Hans's condition in stark detail, painting a picture of a man consumed by his own darkness. Anna, still reeling from the pain of Hans's betrayal, received Lars's plea with a mix of emotions. She was torn between her desire for revenge and her sense of obligation to help those in need. In the end, it was her sense of duty that won out, and she agreed to travel to the Southern Isles, determined to do what was necessary to help Hans recover. As she prepared for her journey, Anna couldn't help but think of Elsa and Kristoff, who had been her rock during the darkest days of her life. She knew they would support her decision, even if they didn't fully understand it. The Southern Isles, a kingdom plagued by the harsh rule of King Westergaard, were a far cry from the vibrant, thriving kingdom that Arendelle had become under Elsa's gentle yet firm hand. The kingdom was a very unhappy place, where the people lived in fear of their ruler and his 12 sons, who were equally ruthless and entitled. The crown prince, Caleb, was just as brutal and arrogant as his father, and Lars, third in line, was equally spoiled but slightly more cunning. As Anna arrived at the palace, she was met with a mixture of curiosity and hostility. The staff was wary of her, unsure of what to make of the princess who had come to care for the troubled prince. Anna was escorted to the room where Hans was being held, her heart heavy with emotion as she saw the state he was in. The first step would be to free him from his restraints, a task that required careful planning and execution. Anna and the palace staff worked together, sedating Hans and carefully releasing him from his bonds. As they worked, Anna couldn't help but notice the raw and chafed wounds on his wrists, a stark reminder of the pain he had endured. With Hans free from his restraints, Anna turned her attention to preparing a basin of warm water, a sponge, and a soft rag. She would give him a bath, a task that would require patience and compassion. As she began to clean Hans's filthy body, Anna felt a sense of trepidation, unsure of what to expect. But as she worked, she saw something in Hans's eyes, a glimmer of hope, a spark of humanity that she had thought was lost forever. The sponge bath was a laborious and delicate process, as Anna and the staff worked to clean Hans's filthy body. The sensations, sights, and smells were all vividly described, a sensory overload that was both overwhelming and intimate. Hans's vulnerability was palpable, and Anna's compassion was evident in every gentle touch. As the bath came to an end, Anna helped Hans into a fresh set of clothes, his raw and chafed wrists still painful but slowly beginning to heal. She sat beside him, holding his hand in hers, and looked into his eyes, searching for the man he once was, the man she had thought she knew. The journey ahead would be long and difficult, but Anna was determined to help Hans find redemption, no matter how small it may seem.