I was in my room on the day of the vote. I didn't want to be in the throne room while the votes were coming in. I thought that I might jinx it by being there. Finally the time came for the results to be revealed so I swam to the throne room with a little trepidation. Father was there of course looking over the results on a piece of parchment.
When Draclith came in Father looked up and said, "I have the results of the vote right here. Please uncover the broadcast crystal Glinjem." As soon as the big crystal was uncovered Father said, "Citizens of the mer kingdom I am speaking to you tonight to announce the results of your votes on whether or not to lift Draclith's exile. I have stated my reasons for considering this action. I had hoped that many of you would give it fair consideration but the comments that were heard gives me a little pause. Comments like, 'She deserves to be exiled the little whore,' and, 'The king should have killed him instead of banishing him.' I am disappointed in those of my subjects who have not given this the consideration that it deserves. However it does not change the result of the vote." Here he paused and looked sad which couldn't be a good sign before continuing with, "The result with 90% of my subjects voting is 99% against lifting Draclith's exile. I had the figures checked four times in order to be sure they were accurate. I would ask that if any of you feel like you were intimidated to vote one way or the other please come forward within the next couple of days. That is all." Once the crystal was covered he said, "Unless mers come forward and say they were intimidated I can't overturn the vote. Well we'll find out in a couple of days. Until then all we can do is wait."
I didn't know if I could take any more waiting to find out if I would be exiled or not.