**Chapter 7: Royal Politics**

The grand hall of the southern isles' palace was abuzz with the murmur of courtiers and advisors, their hushed conversations punctuated by the occasional rustle of fine fabrics and the soft clinking of glasses. Iduna, still recovering from her ordeal, sat in the gallery, observing the royal family of the southern isles with a mixture of curiosity and concern. King Westergaard, a man known for his ruthless pragmatism, sat on his throne, his piercing gaze scanning the room as he listened to the discussions. At the center of the room, Hans, the 13th prince, stood alongside his brothers, Rudi, Runo, Caleb, and Lars. Hans, with his auburn hair and gentle features, seemed out of place among his siblings, who exuded an air of entitlement and cruelty. Iduna's eyes narrowed as she watched Rudi and Runo sneer at Hans, their words dripping with condescension. The meeting began, and the brothers took their seats at the council table. King Westergaard banged his fist, commanding silence. "Today, we discuss the proposed trade agreements with the neighboring kingdoms," he announced, his voice booming through the hall. As the discussion progressed, Rudi and Runo took turns belittling Hans's suggestions, their tone mocking and dismissive. Hans tried to defend his ideas, but his brothers' jabs and snickers eroded his confidence. Iduna's heart ached as she watched Hans's face fall, his eyes clouding with shame and frustration. Caleb, the crown prince, sneered at Hans, his voice laced with disdain. "You're just a foolish child, Hans. You don't understand the intricacies of politics." The other princes snickered, and Hans's face reddened. The meeting concluded with a decision that favored Rudi and Runo's interests, leaving Hans feeling defeated and humiliated. As the courtiers filed out of the hall, Iduna noticed Hans lingering, his eyes fixed on the floor. She sensed his despair and wished to offer comfort, but she knew that she had to tread carefully. Lars, the kindest of Hans's brothers, approached him, concern etched on his face. "Hans, I'm sorry they treated you like that. You have good ideas, and you deserve to be heard." Hans looked up, his eyes welling up with tears. Iduna's thoughts turned to her own children, Elsa and Anna, and how she would never let anyone bully or belittle them. She felt a surge of protectiveness toward Hans, who seemed to be suffering at the hands of his own family. As the brothers parted ways, Iduna couldn't shake the feeling that Hans's situation was more dire than she had initially thought. She made a mental note to speak with King Westergaard, to try and understand the dynamics of the royal family and perhaps find a way to help Hans. The corridors of the palace seemed to grow darker as Iduna walked back to her chambers, her mind preoccupied with the plight of the young prince. She knew that she had to be careful, that one misstep could lead to disastrous consequences. But she also knew that she couldn't turn a blind eye to Hans's suffering. As she entered her chambers, Iduna caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her brown hair was pulled back into a coronet braid, a symbol of her strength and resilience. She smiled, feeling a sense of determination rise within her. She would do everything in her power to help Hans, to protect him from the cruelty of his family and to help him find his voice. The stars twinkled like diamonds in the sky outside, and Iduna felt a sense of hope rise within her. She knew that she would find a way to make a difference, to bring light to the darkness that had consumed Hans's life. And as she settled into her bed, she felt a sense of peace wash over her, a sense of purpose that she had not felt in a long time.