Denocte has always been her home and it will always be her home. Nothing has changed that. But here, she wonders if Denocte is strong enough to make the right choice, to choose someone who will lead Denocte through the next troubling times. Katniss cannot help but feel as though a Denoctian should be the one to rule.
She listens to Caligo as she addressed those that have stepped forward. She has listened to all those who have put their name in the hat and most of them seem worthy enough. But when Caligo comes to her name, she pauses. She can see in the demi-goddess that she had not been alone the night Metaphor had been taken from her. She can see the pain in her eyes. But Katniss offers her a small smile, a way to tell her that it’s okay. While her heart will always ache for Metaphor, she knows she is a stronger person because of him. She has her son now, a spitting image of his father.
Eyes look over the crown and she spots her son coming forward. Despite what he thinks, she does not assume he will pick her. She knows that he will always follow his heart, always do what he thinks is right. So when he does not look at her, she knows she has done right by him. He has the courage to stand up against her and vote for who he thinks is the right one for the job. She smiles at him as he walks away, knowing that she has succeeded as his mother.
As Kibou’s form disappears, she looks back out over the crowd, her eyes touching each and every member gathered. Some say their votes aloud, some cast them in private. Katniss knows that deep in her soul that Denoctians are voting for their next leader. They are choosing which path they will follow. Even if they do not choose her, she is still happy to be a member of this court. She is proud to call herself a member of Denocte.
