The Prince and the Pauper •Everlark•

Chapter One: The Pauper

*I have decided to begin rewriting this story next, after having finished "PM: the 74th Victory". Hopefully, I'll finish writing it as well hehe!*

Katniss's POV

"Get up Katniss!" my mother screams from the kitchen.

I groan and roll over, falling off my bed and landing on my stomach with a thud. I do this every morning.

I pick myself up and fix up my small bed. Today will be different, although it has begun like every other day.

Today is Prince Peeta's eighteen birthday, son of King Mellark of District Twelve, the, may I say, crappiest of kingdoms anyone could rule. Today means the beginning of his search for a bride. It is of no option Prince Peeta must find a woman to wed before his nineteen birthday, she may be from anywhere in Panem. Panem is parted into districts, in which Prince Peeta's father rules the smallest and least interesting one, Twelve, where I live also. I've never known why the Panem has been parted this way, but it always interests me.

I quickly change into my hunting clothes as my thoughts continue to roam and toss my nightwear into my small drawer for tonight to wear when I get back.

The ceremony for the prince, or princess, which is rare, is puzzling. Every ruler of each kingdom must have a son or daughter, but the son plays better role in this. Having a whole year before their nineteenth birthday, they must find a love to be wedded. If they do not proceed with the ceremony rules by their nineteenth birthday in which they have fully become an adult and are eligible to rule their kingdom, they continue for six months. Along with the search comes parties and festivities where Capitol men and women are invited as they are desperate to marry a prince or princess. Usually, princesses are chosen by the prince, which is why it is rare for princesses to be part of this celebration.

If by the six months, the prince or princess has not found anyone to wed, it is then the king brings a noble man to rule or the ceremony falls upon the next daughter or son in line.

The parties are held in the king's castle, set at the end of the richer part of town. The merchants usual have enough money to travel to wherever district the parties are held, and can attend each one in their own district in a different dress each time round. By the last ball dance, the prince or princess must pick his or her bride or groom to be. If not, the search then continues on. If so, they marry days later and live happily until a new prince comes to age.

It is usual for princesses from other districts to get the prince in question and the same way around. Which is why I do not understand why I would ever stand a chance? Why would I ever be considered by a prince to be wed to? Why should I dress up in an expensive gown when I am only a Seam girl who could never afford a dress like that? Or why every girl is willing to do just about anything to attract attention from the prince today at the frontier?

"Ready Katniss?" I hear my father ask from the doorframe of my room. I turn to face him, his eyebrows go amuck. I know he does not approve of my outfit choice. My father works as guard in the castle of King and Queen Mellark. "Are you actually going to wear that?"

I roll my eyes. "Really dad? You too! Mother has been pestering me all week about wearing something I want to wear, and I chose this. Why can't I wear it?"

"It's the prince Katniss! Do you not want to impress him?" my father asks, taking two steps into my small room.

"No! I don't care about this. Or about today! Okay? I just want to go hunting and be done with the day!" I say as anger boils in me, too hot to handle and keep inside pending until it erupts onto my father.

I run past him to the front door, ignoring his calls to me and rush down the streets of the Seam. I slow once I've gone out of view from my house. People whisper hellos to me and I wave or greet them the same. I don't have anything to trade yet, but people are still up and ready for the day. Most are more excited than any other day, wishing their daughter will have a chance with the prince. Everyone from the district of the prince, at the precise age, is allowed to enter the castle and meet the prince. Yet I refuse to even speak to men unless to bargain.