September 17 (3)
The priest looked at Felipe, surprised by the confidence and maturity the boy was showing.
The doctor knew there was an argument the priest could not overlook and turned to Victoria. "Señorita Escalante, you must tell the Father that there is a reason that makes this wedding imperative."
"What do you mean?" the priest asked her.
"I am expecting his child." she acknowledged.
"The whole thing doesn't make sense. Why would Diego hide something like that? There was nothing stopping him from courting you and marrying you, especially with a child on the way. You want me to believe that your baby is his and not...?" He said turning to Diego. Then he saw his gaze, which was still fixed on her, with a devotion that Father Benitez had only ever seen in one man. At that moment he knew what the answer to his questions was, that Diego had been hiding much more than his love for Victoria behind a mask. The priest looked at him for a few seconds, sighed and turned back to her. Victoria shrank back a little, expecting reproach in his gaze, but found only compassion. "Victoria, take Diego's hand." the priest said leading her to the chair next to him. Then he opened the prayer book to a page other than the one marked. He approached Diego and said. "My son, it is important. If you wish to marry Victoria repeat after me: I, Diego take you Victoria..."
Diego began to speak, and there was no need for the priest to guide him through the marriage vows, because he recited them slowly without a single mistake, as if he had rehearsed them many times. Then it was Victoria's turn, who read the book without being able to stop the tears as she pronounced the last part "until death do us part". The priest declared them husband and wife and it was she herself who put the ring on her finger at the Father's direction.
"I am going to give him extreme unction, but I need to know if he has committed any really serious sins." he turned to Don Alejandro. "First of all, can anyone tell me whose body we buried yesterday?"
Don Alejandro went to speak, but Felipe touched the priest's shoulder and made some signs. Don Alejandro interpreted them.
"It was one of the men who kidnapped Diego."
"Did you see what happened?" the priest asked Felipe.
Felipe nodded.
"Did he kill him to pass him off as Zorro?" the priest said, pointing to Diego.
Felipe shook his head. Don Alejandro again translated his gestures, though with some difficulty. "He says that man attacked Zorro and in the struggle they both fell off the cliff. Diego wanted to pretend that Zorro had drowned, and planned to change his clothes and leave the cape in the water to be found, but he could not get out by his own means. After pulling Diego out of the water Felipe approached the man and realized he was dead, put on Zorro's black boots and belt, took off his shirt so they wouldn't know it was red, and then pushed him into the sea. He was going to go for help when he heard several men approaching the beach led by Toronado, so he fled on the bandit's horse."
"That makes sense. He never meant to kill, not even criminals." said Father Benitez looking at Diego. He approached him and applied oil to his forehead reciting the ritual words. Diego's expression relaxed and he seemed to breathe with a little less difficulty.
Note: Yes, the detail of the premarital relations with Victoria did not seem so serious to the priest after all. He must be used to these things happening.