AGAINST ALL ODDS.

Arrival at the palace.

The car ride to the palace was long and silent.Liv sat in the back sit,her head resting against the window,to exhausted to stay awake .JW seated beside her,stared at her with cold indifference,his gaze lingering on her face. His thoughts seemed distant.But one thing was clear in his mind-Liv had become an object,someone to be used his eyes flickered over to her once more as she shifted in her sleep he had no intrest in heras a person only as a meabs to an end.

After a long pause, he sighed.Shaking his head in a mixture o disguise and frustration. He reached over to the cup holder-and picked up a half empty bottle of water.Without much thought,he opened it,starring at her one last time."Liv," he muttered under his breath,his voice cold and detached.

When there was no response,he poured the water over her face,the coldness jolting her awake.Her eyes shot open wide with disbelief as she gasped for air.Confusion clouding her thoughts.The world around her seemed distorted as she sat up.looking at him in horror.

"What-whatis it?"Liv mumbled,still reeling from the shock of being doused with cold water.

JW didn't respond ,he simply opened the car door ,and steeped out without giving her a second glance.Liv followed suit her legs shaky as stepped out of the vehicle.She looked around in awe the grandeure of the palace overwhelming her senses.

Towering spares ,golden gates and lush gardens greeted her,a stark contrast to the lifeshe had leftbehind.

But liv wasn't here to admire the beuty. She was here. sherealized with growing dread toservea cruel master.

They were escorted into the palace where the tension in the air was palpable.The regal hall way lined with servants and guards,all looking at her with a mixture of curiosity and judgement.

They were ushered into a grabd hall where the king Alistair Vornhelm and his court awaited them.As they entered the King's eyes narrowed,and his lips curled in a snare upon seeing his son and the woman he had choosen.

"You brought her ,"the king sneered ,his voice dripping with disdain.He turned to one of the 12 Chiefs of the tribe-a group of powerfull nobels-and they all chuckeled."What an utter disappointment ,JW."

Liv's heart raced as she stood there,barely understanding what was going on.She didn't know what she expected,but it wasn't certainly this.Her gaze shifted nervously to JW ,hoping for some sign of reassurance .But all she recived was cold silence from him .

"You must be Liv ,"the king mocked,his voice carrying across the room."Quite a beautiful thing aren't you ,the Vornhelm family has fallen indeed."

The words stung as they echoed in her mind.And the 12 chiefs of the tribe burst into laughter.

"What does he see in her?"one of the chiefs,Lord Garth mocked."Is this what you call a queen?"

Another chief lady Seris sneered,"She is nothing but a commoner just like him ,no royal blood,no grace."

Liv stood frozen ,her heart pounding as she realized that this powerfull people- this royals saw her as nothing more than dirt beneath their feet.

The king seeing her confusion took a step further."She is a filthy commoner no one even capable to touch the floor we walk on."He spat at her feet,"and this ...this woman you chose?!!"

Liv flinched feeling,feeling the weight of his words crush her .

JW jaw clenched ,his face turning a shade of red from his humiliation,but he stayed silent .He hard learned to swallow his pride for the sake of his father's wrath.His fathers cruelty was no suprise to him, but that didn't make it easier to witness

The kings eyes flickered back to JW narrowing."I suppose you will be spending the rest of your days with this filthy woman,"The Now said with a venom."A pathetic excuse of a son...If you think this will redeem you ,you're mistaken."

But the,as if to assert his dominance,the king turned to hi younger son,prince lucian and smiled warmly."Now he's perfect.Everything that I hoped for a son."His tone was filled with pride,the contrast of his earlier words striking.

Prince Lucian ,standing at his side,gave a smug grin,as if he knew exactly what was being implied.His gaze flikered briefly assessing her with disdain.He made no effort to hide the smug look on his face as he made knowing glances with the chiefs.

The tension in the room was unbearable.Liv felt every eye on her.Their disgust almost tangable.She was nothing here ,just a pawn in a game she did not understand.And the one person she had taught might protect her-JW- stood there in silence.

Then to add further insult,The king took a platter of table and threw it at Liv.The soft bread and fruit hit her splattering across he clothes.

"Eat that ,"the king sneered,"it feats suits you."

Liv stood still so shocked to react,her face burning with humiliation.Her heart sank,the weight of the situation sinking in.

JW's hands were clenched into fists at his side.His eyes flushed with furry but he made no move to defend her.He didn't retaliate nor challenge his father.

Livs chest tightened as she felt the sting of betrayal.Why?Why had he brought her here only to humiliate her like this?The answer was clear now. He had never cared. She was just a tool for his father's game.

In the midist of the cruelty,the 12 chiefs of the tribe continued to mock her. They joked about her origin,her appearance,her every flaw.Every word felt like a dagger piercing her heart.

As the scene reached it's peak JW finnaly spoke,his voice barely a whisper,"I love her."It was a weak claim almost drained by the laughter surrounding him.

But even as he said those words,Liv felt nothing. She felt empty ,hollow.She was just a thing to be discarded,just had JW been treated his entire life.And realization hit her:they were both trapped in a world where they were nothing but pawns to be manipulated.