Hi guys, so for this next few chapters, Brian will be the male lead alongside Pamela because I need to move the story in a bigger pace. Chapter 16:

The Castle was in chaos from the news of the Extraordinary Wizard and Chief Hermetic Scribe's death in one night. No one knew about Peter's killers but they all knew about Alther. Brian made it back home safely. James had managed to bring Pamela back to reality and drag Brian home with her. They tended to his wounds until sunrise. Pamela told James her new plan and he went back to the palace to prepare for it. Being too exhausted, she went sleep on the couch in the living room.

She was woken up by her name being called. Slowly, she opened her eyes and saw Brian's bruised face in front of her.

"Good afternoon." he smiled that made Pamela jump up.

"You're talking." she just remembered the night before. "You did talk last night as well." she laughed with bemusement and so did Brian as she flung her arms around him from relief.

Brian sat beside her. "Sometimes I think you're two persons. One powerful woman who is quick to punish with others and a lovely one with me." he laughed quietly. "It's amazing and frightening at the same time."

Pamela smiled at that. "I don't know why I become so soft around you." she rested her head on the back of sofa. "Thank you Brian, for saving me and killing Peter." she closed her eyes. "I don't know how long it has been but I didn't have any nightmare last night."

"You should've told about the nightmares." he took her hands and she opened her eyes to look at him. "Pamela, there's something I wanted to ask you for a while but I held myself back because of being a mute." he said and Pamela waited for him to continue as he played with his hands and took a deep breath. "I am well aware that I'm nothing but a normal guy while you are truly exceptional." he finally met her eyes. "Now that you took your revenge, will you marry me?" he said anxiously.

"I don't know Brian." she gently pulled her hand out. "The odds of it working out is very low." she stood to leave and so did Brian.

"Please, just think about it. Okay?" he was sincere in his love and that made it hard for Pamela to reject immediately though it she was sure that she had to. She nodded and almost ran out of his house. She felt her heart pounding and smiled. Even if she wanted to reject him, she was still glad that he had asked.


Alther was locked up in dungeons until his meeting with the Queen. Pamela walked briskly to his cell. She wore black gown with silver spirals on it and had braided her hair back into a bun to increase the age she showed. She glared at the guards that asked her identity and just said her position in the court. When they all moved away, she took the keys and opened the door. "Come out." she ordered loudly and Alther looked up with surprise.

"But my trial is_" his objection was cut short by Pamela.

"You can either wait for that or come with me." she was angry at everyone that day and at herself for dwelling over Brian's proposal. She went out of the cell and Alther ran to catch up. Just by looking at Pamela's crossed glances to the wizards passing by, the guards didn't dare to stop. Alther had to run to walk with and no matter how much he asked, she didn't answer and just increased her speed. When they reached the Queen's chamber, Alther saw James and Martin standing with Ice faction soldiers. He nodded at Pamela to indicate that all was done.

Pamela motioned at the soldiers to forcefully open the door. The Queen, Artemis and Cerys who were talking with each other got startled by her harsh entrance. "Chief Martin, come forward." commanded Pamela and Martin ran into the room. "Confine the Princesses in their rooms with maximum security."

Artemis jumped up. "How dare you?" she yelled but Pamela just grinned calmly.

She motioned at James and the soldiers poured in. "I have witness that Princess Artemis had not only kidnapped a woman and blackmailed the Queen's personal guard, but she used her authority as a princess to send unofficial men to arrest the Extraordinary Wizard." she shove Alther in and pointed at the Akhu amulet around his neck. "He's the second highest position in the country. It doesn't matter how he got there so arresting him is violation of his status and an insult to the Queen."

She then looked at James from the corner of her eye. "What are you waiting for? Didn't I give you an order?" Pamela gazed at Cerys's shaken eyes. "Confine Princess Cerys for her own protection since we suspect that some may try to assassinate her to take her out." with that they took Cerys and Artemis out of the room who didn't struggle for the sake of their dignity.

When passing her, Artemis paused. "What is going on in your head?" she hissed angrily.

"As I said before, you made a terrible mistake last night, Princess." Pamela whispered then drew closer to Artemis so that no one else would hear her. "I will make sure that you'll go through the same suffering that I experienced last night. The feeling of being helpless." her mouth cracked into a smile as she whispered. "Anything that happens from now on. The first person to get killed and the next one and the one is all because of you." it was satisfying to see the horror in Artemis's eyes as she was pushed out of the room, leaving Pamela with the Queen and Alther.

Queen Mathilda was gripping the armrest and gazing at her with fury. "Own protection? Stop being foolish and using these ludicrous reasons to take away my power."

Pamela just smiled at that. "The late Extraordinary Wizard wasn't murdered, he committed suicide." she informed casually, as if talking about weather. "So announce Alther Mella free of all charges." she commanded.

The Queen burst into hysterical laughter. "Why don't you just kill me and make yourself the Queen already? I am ill so you can easily blame it all on my sickness." she said bitterly.

Pamela took out a large piece of parchment and started writing the order for Alther's innocence on it. "All in the right time Your Majesty." she then finished writing and looked at her. "Where's the royal seal? This decree needs to be sealed."

"You think I'll tell you?" challenged the Queen.

Pamela laughed and leaned down. "Yes, I think but I won't force you." her sudden retreat frightened the Queen. "I wanted to do this the nice way but since you insist, I'm out of options." she stood straight. "Sorry if I interrupted you. I'll get going." with that she strode out of the room and to the throne room where everyone had gathered for Alther's trial.

"Are you sure about this?" asked Alther anxiously and took her hand to stop her. "Pamela, I don't want to be the Extraordinary Wizard so let's give up." he pleaded.

"It's your right place Alther. Just trust me." she said patiently but Alther shook his head and walked away. Letting out a sigh of frustration Pamela motioned at the soldiers to stay put and followed him. "Alther, stop this instance." she called after him. Alther, however, didn't stop and increased his speed. Pamela ran after him and took a firm hold of his shoulder.

"Let go. I don't want this. I can't bear their accusing eyes." he tried to free himself but Pamela just held him tighter.

She was losing patience by seeing his weak side. "You need that power." she started to drag him but he pulled free.

"They all know me as a murderer. I can't Pamela. I'm not fitted for the job. I_" he couldn't go on any further for Pamela slapped him hard in face and shove him against the wall.

"Come to your senses. This is not the Alther I knew." she had to bring some sense to him. "Today yes, they see you as a murderer, criminal and someone to hate but tomorrow nobody will remember that. All everyone will remember is that you are the Extraordinary Wizard." she hissed angrily as Alther was gazing at her with shock of being slapped. "When I came to the Castle eleven years ago I could've easily carried on with my life in the army or whine about how everyone hates me, but did I do that? No, because the harder your way the more you'll succeed."

Alther was breathing hard. "But what if they refuse to obey me? What can I do about them?"

Pamela took a step back from him. "That is for you to handle. Just don't forget that as long as you wear the Akhu amulet, you are the Extraordinary Wizard." she smiled. "What will it be? Will you come or not?" she inquired and Alther nodded his head. They walked back to the throne room. By Pamela's insistance she entered with Alther at her side to show her standing point. Oblivious to whispers going on in the room, she stood in front of the Queen's throne and faced the court as Alther stood on DomDaniel's empty spot.

"I am Pamela, her royal majesty's personal advisor and Ice faction army's commander. Due to some problems, the Queen couldn't attend this meeting so I'm here in her steed." she smiled gracefully at them. "As you may already know, I need to fill in for the Queen until she recovers." Pamela saw Brian come into the throne room and blend with the crowd. Without looking at him for long, she went on. "Last night was the night of sorrow. We lost two important figures of the Castle. One due to suicide and the other due to misfortune. Let's all have a moment of silence in their honour." she grew quiet and so did the everyone in the throne room.

After the minute passed, Pamela looked up sharply. "But today is a new day and a new day is new hope." she said brightly as the wizards exchanged disapproving glances by her statement. "As you all can see the late Extraordinary Wizard's apprentice Alther Mella, is now the new Extraordinary Wizard. I hope that you all work with him for the better good and_" her speech was cut as a wizard walked to the middle of the room.

"Lady Pamela, Alther Mella is suspected as a murderer, so we can never accept him. I am saying this in behalf of all the Wizards of the Wizard Tower." his objection was followed by voices of agreement.

Pamela feared their anger because of their advantage at having magyk. She wanted to change the subject that she remembered the throne room would suck up all the magyk so no one could do any magyk longer than a minute. Her confidence built up again. "DomDaniel jumped off the Wizard Tower himself and his apprentice didn't kill him." she answered calmly. "So about the_" she was again cut off by the same Wizard.

"May I say something Lady Pamela?"

"Yes, go on." agreed Pamela with a soothing voice that she was trying hard to keep.

"Then I will say it." he seemed afraid but Pamela blinked once to give him permission. "Even if the Queen is unable to attend the meeting, the meeting should be postponed or be carried on by one of the Castle princesses." he stated loudly. "You are not in the position to command the Wizards to do anything." his bold comment made Pamela furious.

She tried to smile but her mouth only formed a smirk as she raised her eyebrows at James and motioned at the Wizard. He nodded his head and came forward with his soldiers to arrest the Wizard but Martin was faster as he took out his sword and slashed the Wizard's throat in a swift motion. Pamela was surprised by his action as she never wanted to kill but the frightened look on the crowd's face was to her advantage.

Still bearing the smirk, Pamela went to the throne. All the eyes were on her as she suddenly sat on the throne. "Please pardon my insolence in losing my temper." she saw Brian's shocked eyes but she teared her eyes away as his gazes were bothering her. "What have you knave done all these years? What have you done other than only thinking about your spots? I have carried all the Castle's weight on my shoulders." her voice had become high pitches. Some were still looking at the Wizard's corpse and Martin's blood stained sword while others were staring at her with their mouths open.

"The royal princesses? Did they protect this Castle? Is there anything that they have other than being from the royal blood?" she smiled bitterly at that. The fact that the only reason behind her not becoming the Queen was royal blood, always bothered her and made her angry. "No, this Pamela did. I sacrificed my body and soul to stop the rebellion from happening, putting the right people in right positions and strengthening the Castle." she screamed loudly while talking.

Pamela closed her eyes for a second to calm herself. "If anyone still disagrees with my words or has any objections come forward right now." No one did and she knew it was all because they had seen Martin kill. "No one? Then I take it as a silent agreement because it would be wise to never bring up the princesses names or royal blood. Is that clear?" She saw Brian looking at her and wished to had slowed down a bit. But when she remembered Artmis's marriage she named herself nice for not using it.

A stab of pain went through her body as the Fearless brand on her arm heated up. Quietly she got up and walked passed the silent crowd and left the throne room. Pamela noticed that Brian was following along so she stopped for him. When he did, she turned to him. "Come with me. You need to know this." she then took his hand cautiously and pulled him into her chamber in the palace.

In there, Pamela rolled up her sleeve and pressed her hand on the Fearless brand. Letters began forming in front of her and Brian. 'Meet the group at Gothyk Grotto.' It wrote.

"You... you really are...?" his voice trailed off when he saw that Pamela wasn't denying. Brian took a deep breath and looked away from her. "You really meant to kill him? I saw the surprise in your eyes."

"I never wanted to kill anybody but that doesn't mean I wouldn't use it to my benefit." she answered. "Now that you know this, I must go." she started to go that Brian took her hand.

"Gothyk Grotto is a nasty place. Let me go there with you."

Pamela caressed his hair and smiled. "Brian, you make me wish to be with you forever." her smile faded at the realization of what she had just said. "I must go there myself. It's bad enough that I revealed my identity, I cannot have them see you." she tried to reason with him.

"You at least need to know where it is. Come on." Brian dragged her along and she didn't say anything.

At Gothyk Grotto:

The meeting wasn't going well with Tertius Fume sitting on top of the wooden table in the dusty room and the Fearless members gathered around it. They were all furious to see Pamela act without telling them before hand. She crossed her arm as they were bickering over what to do with her. Tertius Fume had to shout to have his voice heard. "Just have those mouth of yours shut for a minute." they all grew silent and listened to him who now turned to Pamela. "Those two princesses are no problem and the Queen is ill. Just kill her and take the throne. Why did you make such a scene?" he floated higher from the table.

Pamela glared at him. "You get the news quite fast." she snapped at him. "I wont kill her. Yes, I may have threatened her but it was never serious." she was determined.

When Tertius Fume wanted to retort a Witch stopped him. "How do you think you earned such spot? If it weren't for us, you could never come back from exile." she spat at Pamela. "A little tramp wants to play it big."

Her comment made Pamela jump up, raged. "Watch your tongue when talking." she laughed furiously before leaning on the table. "You did help me but I earned this spot without you." she eyed them all. "I will do what I want, when I want. I'm not a puppet." as she said that something was thrown at her and she fell on the ground from the pain. Pamela touched her bleeding forehead that it's heat showed that she was hit by a ThunderFlash.

"Easy, easy Morwenna. She's just a child." Pamela heard one of the Wizard's voice tell the Witch who was still angry. Pamela stood up shakily and wiped off the blood with her sleeve. She saw Morweena looking at her as if wanting to shoot her again.

"Control your subordinates." she said rashly to Tertius Fume who was smiling gladly. "And forget about me, killing the Queen."

"You should stay so we can enjoy more cat fight." said Tertius Fume wryly as she walked briskly to the door. "You have three days to think. I want the Queen dead in three days." he called before she slammed the door behind her.

Brian was watching the gambling with laughter as Pamela came out. Hopeless, she went to him. "Brian," she said with a low tone that he didn't hear. "Beetle," she said louder since his surname was so unique that he would be sure he was being called.

He got up when he spotted her. "Finished? What's that on your face?" he reached for her forehead but she shoved his hand to a side. "Let's go." he offered her his arm without asking any further.

She liked that. "Brian, you once said that you were interested in me because of my determination for achieving my dreams. Remember?" when he nodded she continued. "Since Peter is gone, I feel that all I've been fighting for is in vain so I tried to push myself this morning and used my hatred as a excuse to carry on with my plan. But I can't help but wonder what life would be like if I was more like Cerys, more like you."

"You mean that you don't want to become the Queen anymore?" asked Brian hopefully as they walked out into the narrow alley that had gone slippery from constant raining.

"Not becoming Queen would make my whole life meaningless but I don't think I can do what it takes to be one." she wondered to tell him about the Fearless's orders but she held it herself back. "Will you still love me if I give up on the determination to become a Queen and just be your wife?" she asked with tearful eyes that made Brian smile.

He knew what she said meant that she would even let go of Artemis that she hated so much and it relieved him. He no longer had to choose between her and his brother. Brian touched her cold and wet face. He brushed her hair strands out of her eyes. "I love you whatsoever." he whispered and placed his lip on the scar on her forehead. She let her tears to fall freely on her cheeks silently and closed her eyes.

Pamela smiled as Brian kissed her scars and hoped that everything would turn out fine. She realized that she had never told Brian anything about her feeling so she rested her forehead against his and gazed into his brown eyes that were full of joy. "I love you." she whispered passionately.

Thank you for reading and please review.