Chapter 12:
It had been a week since Diego and Victoria turned Don Alejandro's life upside down with the news of Victoria's pregnancy and Diego's knowledge about his older sister.
The plaza was full of well-dressed people and the tavern had been decorated with white garlands on the porch and the poles were covered with white flowers. Everyone was in a happy mood but nobody noticed the carriage driving underneath the pueblo gates and made a stop in front of the tavern.
"To be clear we don't know anything in this village, understood." Don Esteban whispered to his driver and friend, Pablo. "We are just passing through this village and decided to stop here until tomorrow, to let our horses rest." pointing to the brown and black mare in front of his carriage.
"Si, Don Esteban." Pablo nodded. A piece of the plan was that Pablo would play Don Esteban's manservant.
"We will leave before we do the final step of the plan or let the people in the pueblo think we have left." Don Esteban grinned a bit evilly, "Now let's see the woman who stole my brother's heart and his memories."
The don stepped out of the dark wooden carriage which was closed off like the carriages that brought the tourists every week., a sign of the man's wealth.
Pablo played his role well and took the trunks and chests of the carriage while his master walked inside the tavern.
"Good morning, senorita. Do you have a room available for this night for me and my servant? We have been driving long and hard and we want to let the horses take some rest." don Esteban smiled charmingly. He noticed that the tavern sat full of people. All dressed in their best clothes.
"We have only one room available, senor. It is a big day today you know. A few friends of the neighboring villages rented a room tonight" Pilar smiled friendly.
"That's no problem, senorita. I am willing to share it with my manservant. If you have an extra pillow and blanket, it's not the first time he slept on the floor." Don Esteban responded again with all the charms he possessed, "Tell my lovely senorita, what is the special day today? If you don't mind me asking that is."
Pilar smiled, "As you wish, senor. No, I don't mind, it's not a secret really. It's a big day today because it's the wedding day between the most eligible bachelor, the young don Diego De La Vega, and the owner of this tavern, senorita Victoria Escalante. The service will start soon."
"Do you think they would mind if I watch the service?" Don Esteban asked innocently
Pilar thought for a moment, "They invited the whole pueblo to celebrate the wedding so I don't think they would mind but I can ask senorita Escalante if you like?"
Don Esteban shook his head, "I will place myself in a corner. I just want to give the couple my best."
"I don't think the couple will mind at all." Pilar smiled, "Which name can I place for the reservation of the room?"
"I am sorry, where are my manners! My name is Don Esteban Alegra. I'm just passing through."
"Welcome to Los Angeles, don Alegra," Pilar said, charmed by the handsome man.
"Please, such a beautiful lady can call me Esteban." The man responded with even more charm. This was all part of the plan. He needed to come over as some innocent don, "You can show my servant here the room." he pointed towards his friend who had just entered the tavern.
"Everything is taken care of, patron." Pablo bowed a little more dramatic than necessary.
"It's alright, Pablo. This lovely senorita will point you the way to the room. You know how I like to see weddings if I have the opportunity?" Esteban said innocently
Pablo nodded in response, "Yes patron.
"Well, the owner of this nice tavern will be marrying a don today so I am in luck." Esteban smiled.
Pablo nodded again, "I will take care of everything, don Alegra."
Esteban kissed the hand of Pilar, "If you will excuse me, senorita." he smiled before nodding to Pablo.
He had just been able to hear how Pilar complimented him about how charming the man was. The don grinned evilly before following the people to the church. He placed himself in a corner of the church. It was more to watch who his victim would be tomorrow afternoon.
"They must be quite a popular couple." Esteban thought while watching around. The little church was filled to the brim with people. Not only rich don's but also poor farmers. There were soldiers in every corner.
"Excuse me? Can I ask you a question?" Esteban asked towards an older woman sitting next to him.
The woman nodded, "Of course. I am sorry, you are not from around here are you?"
Esteban shook his head, "I am just passing through and I am renting a room in the tavern for the night but I love weddings. Why all these soldiers?"
"Our Alcalde is sure that Zorro will stop this wedding as he did before. He tries to catch him for years now but nobody can catch the fox." The woman said proudly.
"I heard about the fox of Los Angeles. Do you think that this is going to happen?" Esteban asked, trying to sound interested.
"I don't think so. If he allowed one person to marry his Victoria then it would be don De La Vega." The woman said pointing to the black-haired man who had taken place in front of the altar. The music started and at that moment everyone stood up. A raven-haired woman was led by an older don towards the man who would soon be her husband.
"That's the old don De La Vega, the father of the groom. Victoria is an orphan but The De La Vega's are like family to her even before this wedding." The woman whispered towards the man next to her.
"And soon she will be a widow too." The man thought but didn't say a word just nodded that he understood.
Victoria walked towards the altar with a big smile on her face. The sight of her soon to be husband standing there in his new baby blue suit with golden embroidering made her heart jump with joy.
The happiness sparked from her face. She did try to look a little less happy than she felt. Although the people knew she loved Diego as much as she loved Zorro. Of course, besides Felipe and his father, Victoria was the only one who knew that she was marrying one and the same person.
Victoria was dressed in a beautiful white gown. One of the older servants from the De La Vega's, Maria, had helped her choose. It was a wedding gift from don Alejandro besides the wedding dress he had ordered new gowns for the new dona De La Vega.
Don Alejandro placed the hand of Victoria in the hand of his son before he took his place in the front row of the church.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony." the padre said, raising his hands in the air.
Diego had a hard time keeping himself concentrated at what the padre was saying. The only thing on his mind was how beautiful his soon to be wife was.
He held his breath the moment the padre spoke the next words though, "Is there anyone who thinks that these two fine people shouldn't get married? Let them speak now or hold forever their peace."
Everyone looked around but don Alejandro's influence was so large that nobody even risked raising his or her hand, not even the alcalde was that stupîd although he hoped for Zorro to appear.
The padre continued after a few moments of silence. He turned himself towards the groom, "Don Diego Sebastian De La Vega, do you take Victoria Maria Escalante to be your wedded wife until death do you part?"
"I do," Diego said with a voice full of love while keeping his eyes on the woman in front of him.
"Victoria Maria Escalante do you take don Diego Sebastian De La Vega to be your wedded husband until death do you part?" The padre asked a little bit afraid of her reaction. He didn't want to put Don Diego through the same as the officer she wanted to marry the last time, not if what he thought was wrong.
Victoria smiled towards Diego, "I do." She said full of confidence.
"Both don Diego and Victoria have chosen to say their own vows while exchanging the rings." The padre said, trying to hide his smile. He was about 90 percent sure now that there was more to Diego than everybody saw.
"My sweet Victoria, I've been in love with you for so long now. I never would have thought I would ever stand a chance against out town hero.`` Those words were rewarded by a snort from the alcalde. The man was shushed by half a church.
"Please continue don Diego." the padre said softly.
The groom nodded, "But here I am declaring my love for you in front of the whole pueblo. Let this ring be a symbol for the love I feel, the fact that I will cherish you like you deserve to be cherished. Accept this ring as well as my heart and soul." The ring was placed over Victoria's finger. The ring was gold with a red heart stone, a ring he bought in San Pedro once, hoping he could use it one day. A ring he bought with only Victoria in his mind.
Victoria smiled at the words a tear rolled over her cheek. She sighed happily before taking the ring from Mendoza who was her witness. A golden signet ring with an elegant D on top.
"My dear Diego, I would never have thought that a handsome don like you would ever be interested in a simple tavern owner like me. I have been in love with you since our childhood. I hoped that I could forget my love for you in the arms of another man but to be honest my heart and soul always belonged to you. Now with this ring, I will prove that love to you. Accept this ring and let me share my life with you as well as my heart. Let me love you like you deserve to be loved." Victoria said, with all the love she felt for him without giving away who she was marrying.
"Don Diego, you may kiss your bride." The padre said.
This was the moment the young don had been waiting for. He took the face of his new wife in his hands and let his lips touch hers softly and lovingly.
"Dear people of Los Angeles, I am proud to announce for the first time and in the presence of God, don and dona De La Vega." The padre said happily, "Let our lord gift them with a loving family."
"God will have to be quick because she will be a widow soon." Don Esteban thought with a grin while he watched the groom lead his wife towards the door of the church where lots of people would gratulate the new couple.
TBC
