Logic dictated that it should be kind of strange seeing Diego outside like this, but it really wasn't.
Somehow it felt so natural watching Diego happily climb over cliffs to fetch that dumb flower, and run around with Tornado as the horse joined them, almost look like an overgrown child, or an animal whom was only so happy to be let out of the cage for ones in his life.
It felt so natural the way he teased Victoria and easily picked her up in his arms making Victoria scream in surprise, then silenced her with a kiss and they both ended up sitting down in the shade of a rock, enjoying the treats Victoria had brought as Diego laid back exhaling deeply.
Victoria smiled as she looked at him, laying on the ground but didn't mind one bit, in fact he seemed so content. "Huh." Victoria then commented.
At that Diego opened his eyes and looked questioning at her. "Is something wrong Victoria?" he asked.
"No I just realized, I can't even remember the last time I saw you in any way relaxed like this." Victoria admitted.
And Diego smiled amused. "You know it's strange, now you say it." he stated. "It almost feels like… I don't know. I've worn some sort of constraint constantly for so long, and now I can finally breath probably again." he admitted looking up. "It's nice not having to play a part."
"I see." Victoria nodded. "You can't really be yourself when you're Diego, but you can't really be yourself when you're Zorro either. They are both characters aren't they."
"Si." Diego admitted laying back looking up in the sky. "Huh, it's strange. I spend so long being those two people, I wonder what i'm actually like. I'm actually not sure." he admitted.
"Oh really?" Victoria asked now in a teasing voice moving over to her stomach and looked at him. "Well, why don't we find out then?" she asked. "What is the real Diego De La Vega like. Let's see." she smirked. "He's a tease."
"That's hard to deny." Diego admitted.
"But also a gentleman." Victoria then said. "Both Diego and Zorro has always been gentlemen, that they always had in common at least."
"Heh, i'm glad you see it that way." Diego blushed.
"You like fencing don't you?" Victoria asked.
"I enjoy it." Diego admitted. "It's... Well it's fun."
"And you're fascinated with science and art! You're so passionate about so many things." Victoria beamed then exhaled. "I wish I could be so passionate about something, all I know anything about is how to run a tavern."
"That's not true." Diego stated. "You care about people, you know the name of every single person living in the pueblo and goes to help anyone in need, no matter how little or much it is. That's incredible Victoria."
And Victoria blushed deeply then cleared her throat. "Stop it, this is not about me! Lets figure out about you!" she asked. "Fashion! You care a lot about fashion."
At that Diego halted. "Erh yeah… About that." he hesitated. "No I don't." he then admitted.
And Victoria slammed her own forehead with her hand. "Your fob character! It was a way to make people take you less seriously."
"Yes, the more ridicules the clothes the less likely you are to be taken seriously." Diego admitted. "I mean, if the clothes looks okay, is comfortable to wear and is practical. What else do you need?"
And Victoria glanced at Diegos clothes ones again noting it was just blue pants and a open shirt, now she also realized this was a very simple but comfortable looking shirt with no thrills on the sleeves or any elaborate buttons.
Diego didn't need to showcase or proof his wealth, in fact… It probably didn't matter that much to him that he was incredible wealthy. "Well, one thing is for sure then. You are way to good an actor and way to good a bloody liar." she stated.
"Guilty as charged." Diego admitted. "That one... I'm not to proud about."
"Good!" Victoria exclaimed then halted as she glanced down.
"What is it?" Diego asked and Victoria bit her lip.
"Are you… still sure it's me you want to marry?" Victoria then asked. This is not just one of your acts is it?"
At that Diego wide-eyed looked at her. "Victoria." he swallowed. "I swear to you! Out of all things, that was not an act. Never for a moment!"
Still Victoria bit her lip. "Are you sure? I mean, you're a caballero, i'm just a tavern owner." she pointed out. "I got nothing to offer but myself.
"That's good, you're the only thing I want." Diego replied and Victoria looked up meeting his honest blue eyes. "I don't have one single doubt in my mind." he then assured. "I want to marry you Victoria, I want to spend every day of my life with you."
And Victoria smiled as she swallowed then nodded. "Me to… I… I want to spend my life with you." she said and Diego smiled before he leaned over, Victoria leaned over as well and soon their lips met in a kiss.
Together Victoria and Diego emerged from the fireplace into the library of the De La Vega Hacienda, from there they walked to the garden and sat down, Diego informing a servant that Victoria would be staying for dinner.
Finally it seemed Alejandro had gotten wind of Victorias visit and came to greet them outside. "What a surprise." he smiled at Victoria. "I didn't expect you to come back here so soon. But you're always welcome." he assured.
"That's good." Victoria exhaled. "I… I might be coming here a bit more often." she then admitted.
"Really?" Alejandro asked. "That's great! What owes such a pleasure?"
At that Victoria blushed. "Well." she bit her lip then slowly reached over the table and grabbed Diegos hand.
Diego as well blushed but accepted the hand and held it tight.
At that Alejandro blinked as he looked at the hands holding and then up at Victoria, then at Diego, now looking truly confused.
"Father." Diego cleared his throat. "I asked Victoria for permission to an official courtship, and she agreed."
And Victoria nodded as she blushed.
Alejandro gaped then shook his head. "That's… That's wonderful." he breathed. "But I don't understand. Diego, you told me that." he halted.
Diego swallowed. "Please forgive me father, it was a lie." he admitted. "The truth is, I could not marry any other woman. Not while there was the slightest bit of hope that Victoria would one day accept my feelings I." he looked down. "I loved her ever since I returned from Spain!" he then blurted.
And Victoria closed her eyes as she felt her cheeks burning. "I have spend a lot of time recently, searching through my own emotions. It confused me a lot." she admitted. "Diego finally confessed his feelings and I didn't know what to think, I was so confused." she then admitted. "It took me a while but then finally I realized, I love him to." she said then looked up. "Don Alejandro, please, I know how this must look to you. I'm just a tavern owner, and then there is my history with." she halted but then looked up. "Please believe me my feelings are sincere! I would not lie about such things."
At that Alejandros eyes softened. "I know Victoria." he assured. "You are to honest to play around with a mans feelings like that. This is… It's… It's wonderful!" he breathed. "Diego I.. Why didn't you just tell me sooner this is where you heart lies?" he asked. "Victoria, to official call you my daughter one day. That would be… simply wonderful." he stated.
"We have your blessings then?" Diego asked.
"Why wouldn't you have?" Alejandro asked. "Victoria? You would be hard pressed to find a more honest, passionate, kind woman." he commented. "I always knew she would make a fine wife one day, I just didn't dare to hope it would be yours."
"I know what you mean." Diego smiled holding Victorias hand tightly smiling at her and Victoria smiled back.
"I suppose I shouldn't get ahead of myself just yet, you aren't even engaged." Alejandro then stopped himself that made them both blush as they looked away and Victoria got eerily aware of the engagement ring she always wore in a chain around her neck hidden behind her clothes. "Now act decent, I trust you enough that I wont be getting a chaperone, I expect both of you to behave with grace and decency." he demanded.
"Of course father! Thank you!" Diego said looking up and Victoria nodded.
"Thank you." She replied and Alejandro smiled.
"Well, i'll leave you two then." he stated. "I hope i'll be seeing both of you at dinner." he winked and finally left.
Victoria blushed looking down. "He approves, i'm so happy."
"Why wouldn't he?" Diego asked. "Heh, he's probably just happy i'm considering marrying at all." he then commented. "I guess that's also why he's leaving us alone, hoping I wont screw it up." and Victoria snorted.
"That one is on you!" Victoria stated. "I know you can be a ladies man, mr Zorro." she poked at him then exhaled. "So… when do we make our engagement public?" she asked.
"Well, I suppose it's better if I court you for a while." Diego then admitted. "Should we give it a month?"
"A month is good." Victoria nodded. "I'll expect a lot of court ship though." she stated.
"I'll be happy to oblige." Diego grinned.
"Poor Zorro he's going to be heart broken." Victoria smirked in a teasing grin.
"He'll get over it." Diego replied amused. "Perhaps… it's even time he'll be phased out of existence." he then commented.
"You… You would do that?" Victoria asked.
Diego nodded. "I think you're right, he outlived his purpose. I think it's time to handle things out in the open, through the pen and law. Zorro… He only ought to be a last resort. I've become to dependent on him to." he then admitted. "Seems so easy to just put on a mask and ride out giving the Alacade a lesson… But it doesn't change anything. Change is going to be much tougher than that, and take a longer time. It's time though." he said taking Victorias hands in his own and brought it to his lips. "It's time to let go."
And Victoria smiled. "I'm glad you see that to." she admitted. "You can do much, so much more than you know. Diego De La Vega." she breathed holding up her hand and cupped his cheek. "And i'll be here to help, we can do this together, i'm sure of it."
"Yes, I see what you mean." Diego smiled warmly. "Lets do this, together."
And Victoria smiled warmly, never before having felt so happy or so secure. Things were going to be al right, what-ever was to come, they would figure it out together. Somehow.