For his hand or his crown

by dolphindreamer11

(This is a Hunger Games version of The Selection but told by my oc). Tia Hellsman, a 6, is picked for the selection. Taking the chance to bring money to her family, she fights to stay in the competition. But when she notices that the Prince seems to have a strange obsession with her, she can't shake away her own feelings. Of course, the Prince is violent. But he's handsome too.

1. Tia Hellsmen

My name is Tia. Tia Hellsmen. I live in Panem, District 7 and am a caste 6. Life has always been hard. I have many older and younger siblings. I have 5 older siblings and 3 younger ones. I love them all even though we hardly ever see eye to eye and it's such hard work to feed and clothe so many people. Here they are.

Alexander - 26

Sally - 24

Penny - 22

Dawn and Dusk (Dawn is a girl and Dusk is my brother. Dawn was born as the sun rose and Dusk as night fell, the names apparently felt appropriate) - 20.

Lockie - 18

(Me - 16...just)

Matilda - 13

Benny - 9

Fran - 4

Mum died when giving birth to Fran and Father has not been the same ever since. He works and is well physically, but he will never be the same. When Mum left, the real him, did too. Alexander, Dusk and Lockie work, doing odd jobs for a rich family from caste 2. They are well paid but treated terribly. Then Sally and Penny do our towns washing and ironing. Dawn is a maid for another family from caste 2. I work, doing odd jobs, fixing, washing, cooking, whatever, to those lower caste's that can afford my pay. Matilda, Benny and Fran do a little schoolwork, basic numeracy, writing and reading and spend there spare time running and playing. Next year Matilda will start work and Benny 4 years later. In 10 years so will Fran. We will grow up, have our own families and forever struggle to feed mouths that always want more. That's how it works.

Panem is run by King Cornelius Snow. His wife, daughter and son - in - law were killed in a rebel attack, leaving him to bring up his grandson, Prince Cato. He's 20, now and will soon be married to a princess of another country to unite us as allies. That's how it works. He is quite good looking as well as muscled. I might've felt myself attracted but there is such a gap in our caste numbers and he is known to be ever so abusive.

I have tanned skin from the beating sun, that batters my district. My eyes are brown and I am known for my infectious laugh and friendly smile. My hair is ever so long, having never been cut and reaches my waist in long, brown waves. It's quite beautiful.

My figure might've been nice if I had enough food to find out. My body is small, petite and thin, incredibly so. You can see my ribcage through my skin. I am literally just skin and bones. Just enough meat on me to keep me going. We always were fighters, the Hellsmens.

************************************************************************************************************************************ I wake up at sunrise and pull my bed head curls into a messy bun. I splash water on my face and pull on my trousers and tee, cheap, thin material that offers no resiliance to the wet and cold weather. I grab a slice of grainy, stale bread before heading out to work, today the Lisallas, a household of 4's. I clean and cook all morning and afternoon, wondering how they afford there large house, that could easily be 5x the size of my own.

"Mother, there's an announcement!" Cherry Lisallas calls. We all gather around there television, something we can not afford for our house. The Capitol embalm appears. Then King Snow and Prince Cato are on the screen in front of me.

"Welcome, welcome." King Snow starts, "It has come to my attention that my grandson and heir, Crowned Prince Cato, has come of age for marriage. However, due to the demands of the rebels, instead of an arranged marriage for alliance with other countries, we will use one of our allies marrying methods. The selection. Any woman, any caste, any district, may put her name forward if she is eligible. The eligible being aged 16-20. Then, from the pools of girls, we will choose 35 who will travel to my palace and fight for the affection of the Prince. He may illuminate women as and when he sees appropriate. When the girls are narrowed to 10, they will be known as the elites and there family will come to the palace and meet me and my grandson. When it gets to 3, Prince Cato will announce his decision. That girl will then marry Prince Cato and be crowned Princess and eventually Queen. The selected girls families will receive money for the duration of their daughters stay. The choosen girls will also be given the immediate caste of a 3 if they are below. good luck and I look forward to meeting the selected. You have 1 month to hand in your forms at our local Justice Building. May the Odds be ever in your favour." The screen blinks shut. The broom falls out of my hand. Words and phrases flash though my mind. Selection. crowned Princess and eventually Queen. Receive money for the duration of their daughters stay. Immediate caste of a 3.

Wow. I have to enter! Imagine the good for my family if I even got in!

"Mother! I have to enter! I must fill out the form at once!" Cherry shrieks.

"Off course darling. Oh, 6, here's your payment." Mrs Lisallas shoves money, way over my wage and clearly dismisses me. I run home as fast as my legs can manage to also fill out the application. Here goes nothing. Here goes everything!

The application letter sits on the doormat. I pick it up and rip it open enthusiastically. I scan the pages and reach for a pen when I feel a hand on mine. I look up to see Alexander.

"Are you sure? Are you sure this is what you want to do?" He asks genuinely.

"Of course! Imagine what could happen. All the possibilities!" I cry happily and he shakes his head.

"What if your picked?" He whimpers, looking at me with doe eyes. "What happens if you're chosen to go?"

"Then I go and I become a 3, giving us enough food for life and get myself a good job. You get money, to feed them properly. It would be great!"

"But what if the Prince chooses you? Why the hell wouldn't he?" Alexander shrieks emotionally, the look in his eyes proving that he's braking.

"Then I'm picked and come the Princess. You all move to the palace and never have a hungry day again!" I say in a sing-song tone. Why is he so against this.

"Damn it, Tia. Think about this properly. Sure we'd get money and food, but your not thinking about the sacrifices you'd have to make. You'd have to marry the Prince. Become a Queen. Provide a heir! You're only 16, Tia! And you know what they say about the Prince..." he trails off and I shudder. I nod my head.

"I want to do it." He sighs, shaking his head.

"Fine, do it! I guess I'll see if I can convince your big sis out of it. Probably not. You might not even get chosen anyway." He throws his hands up in the air in frustration and storms out. I sigh, turning back to the forms. Here it goes.