Chapter 7: Election Day

The royal authorities having been quite unimaginative, the city has been divided into twelve nameless districts, with district #12 being reserved to the military. For some reason, the King summoned all the candidates within the confines of the royal palace, where knights from outside Thabes' city limits are running back and forth to report results from some polling stations and some mages on duty are performing the calculations required for the counting of election outcomes.

Mage #1: So we got the following results in district #11, after 30 polling stations: 1,125 votes for Faiza, 559 for Grace, 433 for Kerson. As for the city council seat #11: Phedon is in the lead with 1,731 votes and 386 votes for Kurita.

Mage #2: As for district #8, 943 votes for Grace, 926 for Faiza and 125 for Kerson. Randall is acclaimed in city council.

Melda: Is there a reason why mayoral results are reported by district?

Jaid: The method of collection…

Two districts are already finalized. Faiza expects district 12 to be won by a landslide; it's the district assigned by default to the people in the military. But the other 9 districts can prove to be unpredictable.

Faiza: This debate really has turned the campaign's tide in our favor… if they truly are any indication. How many were on the voting rolls in districts 8 and 11?

Mage #3: In district #8: 2,524. In district #11, 2,840 and, in district #12, 3,000.

Mage #1: District #12: 2,729 votes for Faiza, 171 for Grace and 100 for Kerson.

After 1/4 of the districts tallied, there are 4,780 votes for Faiza, 1,656 for Grace and 658 for Kerson. But then, the overworked, blue-haired Faiza collapsed on the floor, prompting the security detail at the royal palace to carry her to the infirmary. Meanwhile, the electoral personnel are diligently carrying out the tasks laid before them because of the elections being held. They knew that, because it was a municipal campaign, the campaign couldn't be overly long, and therefore, there couldn't be too much expenditure. At the same time, Melda prepared Faiza's ledger for legal purposes.

Guard: Your boss' ledger, please.

Melda: Here.

Guard: Thank you. Faiza is in the infirmary as we speak; she has fallen ill.

Melda: As Faiza's official agent, I demand to be at Faiza's bedside until she recovers.

Guard: Acknowledged.

Jaid and Melda are standing by Faiza as the two are escorted to the infirmary, where they are shown the way to Faiza's ward. As they realized that the campaign was actually more closely fought than the first two districts could suggest, they flip-flopped between the grand hall and Faiza's ward, with Faiza not having gained consciousness. And they, too, fell asleep because the exhaustion of having to run an election campaign is just too much for them. The people, too, must have been exhausted, and they'd rather wait for the proclamation the next day. On the next day, Jaid and Melda wake up, with something important to tell each other:

Jaid: Will you marry me, Melda?

Melda: This inaugural electoral campaign proved to be that one event where we could finally express our love for one another. We campaigned thick and thin, but the population saw no problem with supporting a mayor from the military. But first I must confess you something.

Jaid: What is it, milady?

Melda: Just like the blue-haired Faiza is the descendant of Catria, I am a descendant of another of the Whitewing Sisters. Est. Then yes.

Faiza: What of the election?

Medic: Commander, you just regained consciousness.

Jaid: The total tally: 12,345 votes for Faiza, 9,468 for Grace and 3,790 for Kerson. 145 rejected votes.

Melda: The population is eagerly waiting to see you…

The organizers of Faiza's campaign bring their leader to the balcony of the Thabes Temple. For that one last time prior to assuming the actual office, Faiza will face the people as a mass of people in uniform, wearing her indigo uniform of a military officer in the Marmotord army, with the major decorations she earned. Dame Commander of the Indigo Order, Dame Companion of the Oasis, Centennial Order third class being the most prestigious orders Faiza has received, with the Indigo Order being the most prestigious order of Marmotord that could be awarded without lordship.

Herald: The final results from the first municipal election in Thabes history are compiled and declared official. Faiza will be henceforth known as the first elected Mayor of Thabes!

Faiza: People of Thabes! A new era in history begins today. This election proved to be the day where the people will finally have some say in the city administration! Today I stand before the people of Thabes as your humble servant.

Phedon: In the name of the Thabes City Council, we are fully committed to make the overall livelihood of the city better, even though the road ahead is full of challenges.