Theia gritted her teeth, hearing Ian. How many times did she have to face Adela's insult? Adela was always her old rival; from childhood on, they fought. But at that point, Theia became irritated by all of it. "Ian, we have eyes, and we can see what your cousin is doing."
After hearing everyone, Adela finally spoke out, "Theia, we are tired. So please stop shouting and wasting your energy on it."
Saying it, Adela took the bunch of wood to make a fire and walked out of there. She was exhausted from her blabbering. But was she sure that Richard would separate the tent? Adela thought while walking. She put the wood on the ground and then noticed Camilla beside her. Camilla was setting up a tent. Adela looked at Camilla, but Camilla did not even turn back to Adela.
Adela approached Camilla with a hopeful smile, eager to engage in a heartfelt conversation and mend their strained relationship. However, Camilla continued to ignore her, intentionally keeping her distance. Adela couldn't help but feel a sense of unease and confusion at Camilla's sudden change in behavior.
"Camilla, let me help you," Adela gently inquired, her eyes filled with genuine concern.
"It's okay, Adela. I can do it." She replied quickly.
When Camilla was about to move from there, Adela stopped her and asked her in a gentle tone, "What happened? You've been avoiding me lately."
Camilla turned her face to look at her. Adela's gaze was on her as well. Then she parted her lips and started speaking.
"Camilla, we used to be so close. What's happened between us? Why are you avoiding me?" Adela asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Camilla turned away, her eyes reflecting a mixture of resentment and jealousy. "Adela, I can't stand being around you anymore. I see you as my rival now." Camilla said directly to Adela; she didn't even think twice.
Adela's eyes widened in surprise. "Rival? Camilla, what are you talking about? We've always been friends." She could not believe Camilla could say it to her face.
Camilla's voice trembled with a mix of anger and frustration. "No, Adela. Ever since you came into the picture, everything has changed. You've become a threat to me and to everything I hold dear."
Adela struggled to comprehend Camilla's words. "But Camilla, I would do nothing to harm you or anyone else. I value our friendship."
Camilla scoffed, her tone laced with bitterness. "Friendship? Is that what you call it? You've taken everything that mattered to me. Even Francis, the one I love, seems to be more interested in you."
Adela's heart sank as she realized the depth of Camilla's resentment. "Camilla, wh- what are you saying? I don't understand what you mean."
Camilla tilted her head and kept her gaze locked on Adela for a minute. And Adela could understand nothing. At first, Camilla claimed she had become her rival, and second, she claimed Francis was interested in her. That was ridiculous.
Camilla's gaze hardened, and she sighed, her voice dripping with venom. "Well, I've made my decision. I've already told Francis everything. He deserves to know the truth about your true nature."
Adela felt a mix of shock and said, "Camilla, what are you saying? First you were talking about me and Francis, and now you are talking about my true nature." Adela took a deep breath and tried to control herself. "You've crossed a line."
Camilla's face twisted with a mix of triumph and despair. "I did what I had to do to protect what's mine. You've taken enough from me, Adela. And I am not in the mood to talk. I want to finish everything here."
Adela narrowed her gaze after hearing such hurtful things from Camilla. She wasn't shocked because she knew it would happen. Camilla was totally captured by Anesthesia's spirit, but when Camilla accused her, she became hurt. It seemed Camilla was completely in herself and bursting her inner thoughts into Adela. Her tone had power, and the rage was clear.
Adela's voice wavered with a mix of hurt and determination. "If that's how you see it, then so be it. But you should know that I wanted none of this. I never wanted to be your rival, and about Francis, we have nothing between us."
Camilla turned away and said, "You really don't know or understand anything about him. He likes you."
With those final words, Camilla walked away, leaving Adela standing there, grappling with the shattering of their once-close friendship. Adela couldn't help but wonder how everything had gone so wrong and if there was any way to salvage their bond. She was shocked.
Camilla's words started echoing inside her head. Francis! How could Camilla say Francis was interested in her? Adela pressed her lips; she could understand that their friendship was already on the edge of breaking.
Adela took a deep breath and started walking toward the crowd.
**
"Princes, we are taking our leave. We need to start our journey early in the morning," Peter said.
"Yes, Peter." Richard then moved his gaze to Francis and James. They were arguing about that matter, but in the end, Richard won. He did not even care if they agreed with him or not because, at any cost, he would not allow Adela to be in a general tent.
Francis' gaze was down; he did not talk much, but whatever he said, it opposed Richard. If Richard separated the tent, then he could not talk to Adela.
Adela's heart raced as she made her way toward Francis, her mind filled with anticipation of the conversation they were about to have. She had recalled Camilla's words countless times, determined to express her feelings with clarity and confidence. As she approached, her eyes were fixed on Richard's figure in the distance.
However, her determined stride came to an abrupt halt as her gaze shifted to the side. There, a few feet away, stood James and Francis, engaged in a heated discussion. The tension in the air was palpable, and their furrowed brows and clenched fists revealed their anger. Adela's stomach churned with anxiety as she was caught off guard by their unexpected presence.
To be continued.
[Please read a love story which is my first romance novel. I will be glad if my readers support me there and share their opinion to help me to find where I should do better. The story name, Bind you in hellbound]