I don't think I've ever felt so nervous before, chewing on my perfectly polished nails and pulling at my skirt. My hair hangs in a perfect curtain framing my prominent jawline and strong cheekbones, those calculating eyes shine with a sparkle I have never seen in them before. I have never been more ready for this. Castiel is next to me, brushing my hair away from my neck, and placing an array of soft kisses all over it, smiling fondly.

"Come on, Annie. It's a press conference, we've had much worse." He says into my hair, and I turn around to kiss him.

"That's too true, Castiel." I say, with a smile. But on the inside I'm too nervous to function right, I know what I'm supposed to do. Today is the day that I announce Dema will have it's first democratic election, unscripted and with the Flashers having no knowledge of.

"So, if you're president, what does that make me?" Castiel jokes.

"First lady?" I laugh softly, "first lady Castiel Fjeld."

He rolls his eyes playfully, "I wear it with pride, my Lady. Knock them dead with you speech, well, not literally."

"I will, Castiel. You know me, I'm good with talking." I say and it's half true, I can talk but I've never been empowering. I step out into the blinding light of the Flashers with a genuine grin on my face, I am ready for this.

"Citizens, Admirers, and of course the notorious Flashers, I have called this meeting today to address an issue that we are all struggling with. When Dema was formed, my father's ancestors thought it right to have a Monarchy in place, and while I might not know how effective that was, I know ours is defective. Demains, I preach you to reach into your hearts and consider what I am saying right now," my voice is steady, and confident, "we are entering a new era, the era of democracy. I know that it has failed us in the past, but the Monarchy must fall! Everyday I sit in this Castle, another citizen in Aberkay loses his life to starvation, and another citizen gets Reckoned for an act he did not commit. I edge you to listen because as Queen of this Quarter, I am announcing the fall of the Monarchy." There's a silence among the crowd that I take as a good sign.

"We are entering the age of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom to vote and of course equality for all. We cannot live in this fishbowl of thoughts where money makes you better than a man in Aberkay or where status means more than humanity. I have ignored this for long enough, Citizens, but today it ends. Today this Monarchy falls to the ground, and this Dome goes down. In four months Dema will have it's first democratic election and anyone who feels he or she is fit to run for President may. There are no more Reckonings, no more silence, there is no more oppression. Today I step down as your Queen, but hopefully step back up as your President. That is all I have to say, thank you." The crowd erupts in a fit of questions and flashes but I am already turning around and walking away. I have done my deal, I have done as I was told. I hear it coming from outside, the immense noise of the crowd chanting, "long live Anaise Von Duyk!" It makes me walk back out and take a swift bow down as my final act as Queen on this Quarter. For now I am not a Queen, nor a President. I am a mother, and a lover. And I'm going to enjoy it, I'm going to enjoy the kisses Castiel and I share, I'm going to enjoy Arvud's little hands grasping at my hair, and I'm going to enjoy my peace before everything falls apart again, this Castle seems to have that effect on everything. Later I head out to officially demolish the Dome, pressing a button easily, and having it fall down over us, feeling a flake of snow fall down on my pale skin for the first time, and having a fond grin spread across my face. This is how it's supposed to be, Castiel and I stand with our hands linked, watching over the Revolution and I am prepared for anything. I am strong. I am ready. I am capable. Come what may, I will face it, with a grin on my face and a glint in my eyes. I am strong, and I will conquer my tasks. I am not afraid because I know with Castiel by my side and Arvud safe in his little crib, I'll be okay. I'll always be okay. We'll make it through, we always do. Have my Campaign come; I'm ready for it. 

and y'all thought it was over?? >:D

anywho, i loved writing this, nanowrimo is such a great experience, bc i actually got support from people around me to help me write 50K words!! and that's something!! :))

thanks for reading, and keep a look out for the sequel - "when her campaign came" bc we need more c