Chapter 3: The King's Wrath

The cold, grey stone walls of the palace seemed to close in around Hans as he was dragged before his father, King Westergaard. The king's face was a picture of fury, his eyes blazing with anger as he gazed at his son. "So, Hans, you're back," the king spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "I see you've learned from your mistakes. You're a failure, just like I always thought you would be." Hans felt a surge of anger at his father's words, but he knew better than to speak out. He bowed his head, feeling a sense of shame and defeat. The weight of his father's disapproval bore down on him like a physical force, crushing him beneath its oppressive weight. The king's words cut deep, and Hans could feel his mental state beginning to deteriorate. He became paranoid and agitated, unable to sleep or eat. He started to experience hallucinations, and he became convinced that everyone was out to get him. His brothers, Rudi and Runo, mocked him and made his situation worse, and Hans felt like he was losing his grip on reality. As the days passed, Hans' condition worsened. He became increasingly agitated, pacing back and forth in his room like a caged animal. His eyes took on a wild, haunted look, and his skin grew pale and clammy. The palace staff whispered to each other about the prince's condition, and how he seemed to be unraveling before their very eyes. Lars, who had always been concerned about Hans' well-being, tried to intervene. He spoke to their father, trying to reason with him, but King Westergaard was unmoved. "He's a failure, Lars," the king snarled. "He's a disappointment to me and to our family. I'll not waste any more of my time on him." As the king's words echoed in his mind, Hans' mental state continued to deteriorate. He became catatonic, unable to move or speak. His wrists and ankles were bound by heavy leather restraints, and he was placed on a narrow bed in a secluded room. The room was small and Spartan, with only a single window that let in a sliver of light. The darkness seemed to close in around him, and Hans felt like he was drowning in his own madness. He was trapped in a living nightmare, and he couldn't escape. The restraints dug into his skin, rubbing his wrists raw, and Hans could feel the pain and discomfort spreading through his body. As the hours ticked by, Hans' mind began to fragment. He became convinced that he was being tortured, that his father was subjecting him to unspeakable cruelties. He screamed and shouted, but his cries were muffled by the thick walls of the palace. Lars knew he had to act fast, or risk losing his brother forever. He decided to send a letter to Anna, Hans' ex-fiancée, asking for her help in caring for him. He hoped that she might be able to reach Hans, even when he seemed lost to himself. The letter was written and sent, and Lars could only hope that Anna would receive it, and come to help her brother. As he waited, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What if Anna couldn't help Hans? What if he was too far gone? The thought sent a shiver down Lars' spine. He knew that he had to do everything in his power to help Hans, and he was willing to try anything. He could only hope that it would be enough to save his brother from the brink of madness. As the darkness closed in around Hans, Lars held onto hope, a glimmer of light in the darkness. He knew that Anna would do everything in her power to help Hans, and he was willing to try anything to save his brother. The fate of Hans, and the future of the kingdom, hung in the balance.