My thanks to PamZ. Her transcripts contribute significantly to the creation of this story.

Chapter 20

After Rafaël left the table, Felipe also left the room, and don Alejandro excused himself by saying he needed to discuss something with Maria. Therefore, Victoria and Diego were the only ones left.
After the eventful dinner, Diego spoke uncomfortably, "Margarita is quite an expressive woman."

"Yes," Victoria agreed. "I don't quite understand what he sees in her."

"There are people who say the same about us. I suspect what they say is true. Love blinds you, although I see everything crystal clear." Diego gently caressed her hand.

Victoria hesitantly chuckled as Diego moved closer to her.

"I'm sorry for Margarita's derogatory remarks. Blame it on her upbringing. She has probably always been told that social class matters."

"She has a point. You are a don. There's a significant difference in our social class." Diego was such a proud caballero. What if Margarita made him realize that she was far below him? Victoria looked at the ring on her finger. "And perhaps your father thinks the same way."

"Victoria, you know that's nonsense. Do you know what my father told me when he gave me the ring?"

Victoria avoided eye contact with Diego and shook her head apprehensively.

"I hope you choose a woman with a warm heart above all else. Despite, I never asked for it, he gave me his blessing. We're not in Spain. And I am free to marry whomever I want. I have chosen the woman I love. And that's you."

Victoria looked at him with teary eyes.

Diego softly pressed his lips against hers, tasting the saltiness of her tears. "I love you. And I will never regret marrying you for a single moment. Nor will I ever think that I'm marrying beneath my station."

Victoria sobbed and then said, "I love you too."

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Rafaël looked at Margarita with concern, his thoughts spinning from the sudden turn of events. "What did you mean by breaking off the engagement?"

Margarita looked him straight in the eyes and determinedly replied, "It's simple. I no longer want to marry you. I'm going to marry Zorro."

Rafaël burst into laughter, hoping that this was all a bad joke. "Marry Zorro? You can't be serious."

Margarita looked at him. "Oh, but I am. When I saw him this afternoon, I fell in love instantly. I'm sure he will fall in love with me too. Rafaël, you just don't understand. When I spoke to Zorro, I felt something I have never felt before."

Confused and concerned, Rafaël tried to convince her, "But Margarita, you didn't even speak to him. I was there myself."

Margarita smiled gently. "Rafaël, you misunderstand. I spoke to Zorro in the language of love. No words are necessary for that."

Rafaël tried to warn her, "Margarita, he's an outlaw, a wanted man! What do you think will happen when it becomes known that a future bride of a de la Vega flirts with such a figure?"

Margarita put down her clothing and looked Rafaël straight in the eyes. "And what about your cousin? She's just a plain waitress! I don't understand why your uncle approves of such a union. Don't you even take pride in your family name?"

Emotion welled up in Rafaël's voice. "Margarita, I tried to protect your family's honour when you behaved so disrespectfully towards my family and señorita Victoria. At least my cousin can rely on the loyalty and respect of his fiancé. That's more than I can say about you."

Margarita grew frustrated and spoke with a touch of bitterness, "Your idea of loyalty is suffocating, Rafaël. I yearn for adventure, passion, and freedom. Zorro represents all that to me. He's exciting and unpredictable, everything you're not."

Rafaël's voice trembled with pain. "So you prefer the attention of a masked bandit over our love? I thought you and I wanted a future together. A life filled with love and stability."

Margarita was determined. "Rafaël, I don't want to live in the shadow of a predictable existence. I want a life that makes my heart race, and Zorro gives me that feeling. If it means I have to leave you, so be it. Will you ask your uncle whether I can stay here till I sort things out?"

Rafaël furrowed his brow, a mix of sadness and confusion on his face. "That's quite a peculiar request, don't you agree? Why don't you ask señorita Victoria to rent you a room in her tavern?"

Margarita shuddered at the thought of staying in the tavern. She was accustomed to a life of luxury. "The tavern..."

"You must get used to living in simpler surroundings should you truly intend to marry Zorro. He's not a don, you know. Do you really think he lives in a hacienda like this? That you will sleep in a bed with silk sheets and have servants?"

"Of course not. But Zorro will be rewarded once that horrible alcalde is gone. Until then, I'll ask daddy to build me a beautiful hacienda. He never says no to me. I will get a music room and the biggest ballroom in California."

Rafaël looked at her in disbelief. "Margarita, be realistic for once."

Margarita met his gaze directly. "I am realistic. More realistic than you, at least."

.

Diego looked surprised at Rafaël and tried to comprehend the words. Felipe was escorting Victoria home, and Diego had been waiting for Rafaël to leave Margarita's room.
"Margarita is in love with Zorro? That's unbelievable." He rubbed his chin as he contemplated the complexity of the situation.

Rafaël nodded soberly. "Yes, I could hardly believe it myself. But she was very clear about it. She's attracted to that masked bandit. I will have to challenge him to a duel."

Diego sighed and placed his hands on his hips. "This complicates matters even further. Zorro is not just anyone, Rafaël. He's a legend, a hero to the people. It's dangerous to vie with him."

Rafaël looked determinedly at his cousin. "I can't stand idly by while he comes between me and my love. I have to fight for her, Diego. I can't accept her simply choosing someone else. I promised her father I would take care of her. I gave him my word as a caballero. My decision is final. I will challenge him, and I will win."

Diego furrowed his brow and looked at Rafaël with concern. "But Rafaël, you're just a horseman. Zorro is a master swordsman. I fear that you have no chance in a duel against him. Your life could be in danger."

Rafaël ignored Diego's concern and stared back resolutely. "I understand that it's a dangerous challenge, Diego. But I have no choice. I must prove that my love for Margarita is stronger than any opponent. I won't rest until I win back her heart."

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Felipe was anxiously staring at the prickly piece of cactus Diego handed him. Diego understood that Felipe wasn't convinced of the plan yet. But he hoped eventually, the boy would share his enthusiasm. "You're right, Felipe. I also doubt if Margarita truly deserves Rafaël's love. But if they truly love each other, Margarita deserves a second chance. This piece of cactus will hopefully create the heroic act that Rafaël needs to open her eyes."

Felipe carefully placed it in one of his horse's saddlebags. With a slap on the horse's backside, Diego signalled to depart. "Felipe! Hold on tight with both hands!"

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It was market day, and the plaza was crowded. Victoria was strolling around, greeting familiar faces as she looked forward to tomorrow. However, she knew one name on the list she wasn't exactly excited about. Lost in these thoughts, Victoria accidentally bumped into someone. "Mi excusi," she immediately apologized until she realized it was Margarita.

Margarita immediately put on a malicious grin. "Oh, look who we have here, Victoria, the tavern owner, isn't it?"

"Nice to see you again, Margarita," Victoria replied hastily, trying to walk away quickly.

Margarita grabbed a piece of white lace and began loudly expressing her dissatisfaction. "It's so disheveled here. Look at this? How am I supposed to make a dress out of this?" She held up the fabric, examined it, and tossed it disapprovingly. "What will Zorro think if I show up in such rags?" Margarita continued mockingly. "Oh, Victoria, maybe I can ask you for advice. After all, you know better than anyone how to seduce men. Pretend all you want. We both know the real reason you ensnared Diego in your nets. I applaud you for how you managed to trap the man under the disguise of true love." She sarcastically clapped her hands a few times.

Victoria clenched her fists. "I love Diego. He's a good, honest man with integrity, something you will never understand."

"Ha, ha, ha. You shamelessly seduced the man. Impressive, considering you're not even pretty." Margarita played with her long locks of curly hair.

Victoria was furious. "Margarita, you don't know a thing!"

Margarita rolled her eyes and continued her attack. "A man like don Diego would be much better off marrying someone of his own class."

Victoria felt a pang of jealousy at Margarita's words, but she kept her head calm, countering the insults. "Real love knows no social class, Margarita. It's about the connection between two souls."

Margarita condescendingly remarked, "Oh, Victoria, even you know you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. That ring doesn't belong on your finger. You don't have any class, style, or sophistication. Such a precious heirloom belongs to someone of my social ranks. You're nothing more than a wretched peasant girl."

"Unfortunately for you, it was up to Diego to give the ring away." Victoria sneered. Margarita's remark didn't affect her, not after yesterday's conversation with Diego.

"I am clueless about what you're doing with that ring. I saw you wanted to flirt with Zorro."

That remark hit too close to the truth. Victoria felt a familiar anger welling up inside her. She couldn't tolerate Margarita's arrogance any longer. Last night, out of respect for Diego and his father, she had bitten her tongue and endured the insulting remarks. Victoria wasn't going to do that again.

With years of experience and flawless precision, Victoria grabbed the most ripe tomato from a nearby stall. The one that had started to rot. She hurled it straight into Margarita's face. "Maybe you should learn that outward appearance means nothing when you lack inner beauty. And it seems like your inner beauty is as spoiled as that tomato on your face." With a triumphant grin, Victoria turned her back on Margarita.

Margarita quickly recovered from the shock. How dare a simple tavern wench to treat her like this? She grabbed a flan from the neighbouring stall and threw it towards Victoria. It was a direct hit. The caramel ruined Victoria's blouse.

Victoria got her hands on some lettuce and threw it in Margarita's direction.

Bystanders began cheering and laughing as the two women fought each other with whatever they could get their hands on.

"Enough!" Rafaël had noticed that his fiancée was the cause of the sudden commotion on the corner of the square. "Stop fighting!"

"That's what you should tell her! She started it!" Margarita screamed, pointing an accusing finger at Victoria.

While Rafaël did his best to restrain Victoria and Margarita, a runaway horse came charging from the other side of the plaza at full speed. Alarmed by the commotion and the fighting between the women, Ramon quickly rushed outside. The first thing he sees is the out-of-control horse with Felipe on it.

Without hesitation, Ramon took immediate action. With determination in his eyes, he hurried towards the horse, arms outstretched to bring the animal to a halt. With a fluid motion, he firmly grasped the reins and, with a powerful tug, brought the runaway horse to a stop. A collective sigh of relief filled the square as people slowly recovered from the scare.

Felipe felt dazed by the sudden chaos, looked gratefully at Ramon. He carefully dismounted the now calm horse.

Ramon soothes the horse stroking his head, saying. "Easy there, boy, easy. What happened? You're a better rider, aren't you?" His eyes caught something strange near the saddle. "Well, well. What do we have here?" Ramon carefully removed the piece of cactus from under the saddle. Then he noticed Rafaël. He is still struggling to keep Victoria and Margarita apart. With determined steps, Ramon approached them and threw the piece of cactus on the ground. "You, de la Vega, have a special habit of upsetting me. Yesterday, you obstructed justice, and today you disturb the peace."

"Now, wait a minute..." Rafaël tried to explain why he was in the middle of the market restraining two women, both covered in food remnants.

"I'm giving you two hours to leave Los Angeles. Be thankful for that, and be wise. If you don't comply, you'll have to wait many years in my prison," Ramon said.

Rafaël was furious at how the alcalde didn't even try to make any effort to find out what had happened. "You can't threaten..."

Ramon interrupted him by raising two fingers. "Two hours, de la Vega. No longer." He turned around and walked away, followed by Mendoza.

Once they were out of earshot, Ramon snapped at the sergeant, "Make sure you collect the usual traveller's tax before he reaches Tres Equinas."

"What traveller's tax? Oh, of course. That traveller's tax," Mendoza said dejected, glancing at some ducks being offered for sale. Going all the way to Tres Equinas. He wouldn't be back before the siesta started. And he had been looking forward to Pilar's speciality of the day, a nice chicken stew.

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