**Chapter 3: Descent into Madness**

The days that followed Hans's return to the Southern Isles were a blur of darkness and despair. The shame and guilt of his past actions consumed him, threatening to devour his very soul. As he lay on his bed, restrained by thick leather straps, Hans felt his mind begin to unravel. The king's words echoed in his mind: "You have brought shame to our family and our kingdom. You will pay for your mistakes." At first, it was just a nagging sense of unease, a feeling that he couldn't shake. But as the days turned into weeks, Hans's mental state began to deteriorate rapidly. He became increasingly erratic and violent, lashing out at anyone who came near him. His brothers, who had always been quick to taunt and tease him, now kept their distance, fearful of his outbursts. The castle, once a symbol of power and authority, now felt like a prison. The cold stone walls seemed to close in on him, suffocating him with their weight. Hans's mind was a jumble of thoughts, each one more terrifying than the last. He couldn't sleep, couldn't eat. His body was wracked with tension, his muscles coiled like springs. As the days passed, Hans's condition only worsened. He began to see and hear things that weren't there - dark shapes lurking in the corners of his room, whispers in his ear when no one was near. He became convinced that he was being punished for his sins, that he was being tormented by the ghosts of his past. His family, who had initially been glad to see him broken, now grew concerned. King Westergard, who had always been ruthless and pragmatic, saw Hans's condition as a reflection on the family. He didn't want his son's madness to be a spectacle, something that could be used against him by his enemies. Lars, however, was different. He had always been the most compassionate of Hans's brothers, and he couldn't bear to see Hans like this. He knew that something had to be done, that Hans needed help. But where could they turn? The royal family's reputation was at stake, and Lars knew that they couldn't afford to have Hans's condition become public. As Lars pondered what to do, he couldn't help but think of Anna, the princess of Arendelle. She had been betrayed by Hans, but Lars hoped that she would be willing to forgive him and help him recover. He knew that it was a long shot, but he was desperate. He decided to reach out to her, to beg for her help. With a heavy heart, Lars sat down at his desk and wrote a letter to Anna, explaining the situation and pleading with her to come and care for Hans. He poured out his heart, sharing his concerns and his hopes for his brother's recovery. As he sealed the letter and sent it off, Lars couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. He knew that Anna's response was far from certain, and that the fate of his brother hung in the balance. The kingdom of the Southern Isles was a place of suffering, where the people lived in fear of their ruler and his sons. But Lars held onto the hope that Anna's arrival would bring a glimmer of light into their darkness. He could only hope that she would see the good in Hans and help him to recover. As he waited for Anna's response, Lars couldn't shake the feeling that he was running out of time. Hans's condition was deteriorating rapidly, and he knew that they were running out of options. The clock was ticking, and Lars could only hope that Anna would answer their call for help before it was too late.