World building was heavy, and I didn't feel connected to the story

I always need to feel connected to the story when reading the first 5 chapters. However, this story didn't provide that to me. The world building and relationships with the King family was confusing and I couldn't grasp onto the dynamics. The situation in the 'courtroom' should have been one of high tension and risk, yet as the reader I didn't feel that urgency because I wasn't yet invested in the character's outcome. I didn't hate it, but not inclined to continue reading either.