Several Days Later
Camilla and Simon both punched the punching bags in front of them, almost in unison. Camilla again found herself in his clothes seeing as she wasn't allowed to wear pants. Something that caused her great hatred but now being here it seemed to all vanish. This had become a common occurrence for the two. Simon had even agreed to teach the young girl how to fight, which she was learning rather quickly.
Little by little both took comfort in one another seeing as the news of Daphne and the Prince was everywhere. Camilla had to hear it even from her siblings who wouldn't shut up about it. But this once again become her safe space, and with the help of Simon, she seemed to be healing quite quickly. Not to say there weren't days where she'd still cry, but they've become less and less.
All her sadness had turned into anger which she found was easier to handle.
"Does those sacks of grain have a German accent, or is it my imagination" The voice of Will catches Camilla off guard, while Simon kept hitting his punching bag, Camilla turned to the pair walking in. Having the three of them as supports systems, she had confided in them about the said prince.
"Remind me, Will, are you participating in a boxing exhibition today, or is it a comedy exhibition?" Simon sarcastically said still punching the bag in front of him.
"I was afraid you had forgotten."
"I have not, although I'm afraid you will have to soldier on without your greatest admirer present this afternoon" Simon comes to a stop, holding the bag in place.
"Alice and Camilla will be present" Will endearingly looks over to Alice before turning to Camilla with a wink. Camilla although from a different race, had become like Will's younger sister.
"I am leaving England" Simon informs still panting from his previous session. Making both Alice and Will stop in their tracks, while Camilla knew he would be leaving, she had no idea he would not show up for Will's fight. "My business has concluded"
"Will's is not" Alice comments before Camilla could say anything in protest.
"This will be the biggest match of my career I am not favored to win it" Will informs.
"Will-"
"Your smart friends know you frequent Wills saloon. Who will wager if you are not present?" Camilla then steps in to protest.
"Surely with the Bridgerton name will come to some balance" Simon turns to Camilla.
"And who will listen to a woman?" Camilla counters.
"How about after the Irishman today, Will, you pummel the piss out of his Grace's self-pity?" Alice adds making Camilla let out soft chuckles.
"I have never asked a favor but I implore you not to miss this match." Will then brings the attention back to him.
"The only thing his grace would like to miss is the chance of seeing the Bridgerton girl on the arm of a prince" Alice then remarks causing a bit of pain on both Simon and Camilla. Alice sends over an Im sorry look to Camilla but stands her ground.
"Perhaps your right" Will laughs.
"Both of you understand we are just here, do you" Simon reproaches.
"Don't pull me in this time, I'm on their side for this one" Camilla informs earning her an annoyed look from Simon. She simply sends him her sweetest smile.
"Point is I'm not nearly as devoted as Lady Whistledown, would like to believe," Simon speaks up.
"The only thing we are devoted to is putting food in our children's mouths. Perhaps you'd like to dig a little deeper today, Your Grace, and help us fatten the match organizers' purses as well as ours." Alice once again puts out. This then brings out a warning glance from Will.
"What? You don't love me for my subtlety." Alice remarks. Will then turns his glance to Camilla.
"Don't look at me, you've got your hands full with that one as it is" Camilla laughs out. Causing the two men to let out soft chuckles.
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"Tell us Mr. Mondrich, is it true you've been training with the duke?" Mr. Featherington questions. Camilla stands right in between Simon and Will. Colin and Benedict are next to Mr Featherington sending their sister a questioning glance. Camilla hadn't had time nor energy to change from the simple pants so she stood there wearing the duke's clothes.
"Let us not exaggerate my role. I am a mere pupil target practice, at best." Simon humbly says. Both Camilla and Simon chuckle a bit, unaware of the two pair of eyes on them. Both of them can't help but notice Camilla's unusual attire, that of the Duke of Hastings.
"His grace is modest, he's one of the least pitiful students I have ever trained." Will then adds in making everyone chuckle. "You will do well following his lead and wagering on me today. Is that not right, Hastings?"
Camilla notices Simons's attention be somewhere else, not wanting to let Will hang she then interferes "Well certainly, may as it be Mondrich had also the support of the Bridgerton, is that not right brothers?"
Camilla turns to her two brothers waiting for their response quite expectantly.
"Yes," they both say forcefully in unison.
"And well let's not forget our grace" Camilla subtly steps on Simons's foot, not too hard but enough to get his attention.
"Of course, our underdog, Mr. Mondrich, shall empire victorious" Simon focuses back on the conversation at hand.
"I, for one, have 40 shillings on Mr. Gillespie after all, he is the prince's man." Mr. Featherington informs quite snuggly earning a scolding face from Camilla. Not that she liked the man but he was foolish to think Will wouldn't beat him.
Not being able to hold her tongue Camilla also interferes "And when does a crown earn such a high rank when fighting."
Thus earning herself a proud look from Simon who couldn't help but admire the girl's bluntness.
Before anyone could say anything else the announcer calls out "Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats! The match is to begin."
Camilla's brothers along with Mr Featherington head to their seats while Will heads up to the ring. Camilla then takes note of Mr. Gillespie whom she hadn't noticed before. Sure he had misled but she knew better. He wouldn't last even a first round.
Camilla looks over to Simon about to boast of their upcoming victory but she notices he's once again distracted looking at the same place.
She follows his sight to notice her younger sister right next to a certain blond. She could once again feel a small tug at her heart. Simon then turns to the girl once he hears the bell ring to see she was then looking at what he was.
"Are you going to be alright?" Simon asks.
"Are you?" Camilla returns keeping her glance up to the pair.
"Well I have you don't I?" Simon lets out a weak chuckle then places his arm out for the girl which she takes with a weak smile.
Their attention goes to the ring watching as Will dodges Mr. Gillespies punches and then hits him with his own. Making the man fall back. Mr. Gillespie then got a punch of his own.
"Come on, Mondrich! Watch your feet!" Simon yelled before folding up his sleeves.
"You've got this" Camilla also yelled.
Simon and Camilla both kept cheering the man. Feeling the support of his friends, a light flickered in Will then going after Mr. Gillespie.
Seeing their friend coming closer to the winning line, both Camilla couldn't help but let out a joyous laugh and then turned to each other. Both are unaware of the eyes on them. Not that it mattered, being as it was their friend's moment.
The mood in the room suddenly changed when Mr. Gillespie got some hits on Will.
"Focus, Mondrich! Get your wits about you!" Simon yelled out.
"Go on, Gillespie! Plant a facet!" The voice of Daphne caught both of their attention then seeing the girl now standing up. Camilla could tell she was just doing it to provoke Simon.
But as Camilla predicted, the man was no match for Will he then stopped Mr. Gillespie's punch in mid-air then pushed him all the way back, and landed the last punches which then knocked him out.
Camilla looked over, locking eyes with a certain blond. And for the first time, she held a smile. Not that it was towards him. But it sure was a smug smile and it felt so good. She'd look away hastily leaving him speechless. She'd turned over to watch as Mr. Fear the ringtone was ripping away his paper. Once he locked eyes with her she did the exact same thing.
Both Camilla and Simon reached out hugging each other with joyful smiles.
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