My thanks to PamZ. Her transcripts contribute significantly to the creation of this story.
Every word you recognize from the series isn't mine.
Chapter 13
First, they drove a bit to the west. Then they followed the coastline in a southern direction.
Victoria had thought about it again and didn't want to force Diego to do something he didn't want to do just because his father demanded it.
"I'm perfectly capable of driving to Santa Paula myself. I've done it before. And I can always try and ask someone else to accompany me."
Diego briefly turned his gaze away from the bumpy road to look at her. "No, my decision is firm, seƱorita. I'm sorry if I gave the impression that I didn't want to be of help to you. Father is right. In times like these, it's not wise for anyone, man or woman, to travel the roads alone. I was already planning to go to San Pedro. It only makes sense for us to travel together. That is, should you not mind going to San Pedro instead of Santa Paula?
"Oh," Victoria sighed, unable to hide a hint of disappointment.
Diego pulled on the reins and brought the horse to a halt. He placed his hand over hers, which rested on her lap. "Victoria, I sincerely apologize for giving the wrong impression. I know California's social expectations and morals differ from those in Madrid. There, you're practically engaged just by looking at each other. Unmarried individuals can't spend more than a few seconds in each other's company, let alone a whole day. Maybe that's why I seemed a bit hesitant."
Was that the reason? She hadn't noticed Diego acting reserved towards her or other women. Victoria smiled bravely and stammered, "It's all right."
Diego looked at the surroundings. "There are some trees further ahead. Shall we go there and have lunch? The view is beautiful here, and the trees will provide shade."
Once they were seated, Diego started speaking again. "Let there be no misunderstanding. I care for you and enjoy your company. These past years, I've lived a different kind of life. It takes time to adjust to the more relaxed social standards here."
The air had cleared, and Victoria felt reassured. They agreed to leave before sunrise on Friday. Victoria had prepared a basket of food, and for the rest of the afternoon, Diego and Victoria enjoyed each other's company. Diego asked Victoria how she managed things on her own in the tavern since her family was gone. He seemed genuinely interested and concerned. Victoria questioned Diego about his years in Spain and the sea journey that had taken him halfway across the world twice.
Jokes got made. Laughter filled the air. And old, almost forgotten, memories were recalled. Both of them enjoyed each other's company in a relaxed manner.
At the end of the afternoon, Diego brought Victoria back to the tavern. They said goodbye by the back door. "Thank you for the pleasant afternoon. I enjoyed your company."
Victoria felt her heart skip a beat at the warm gaze in his eyes as he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. "The pleasure was entirely mutual. And I look forward to Friday."
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Since adopting an alter ego, Diego had contemplated amplifying the differences between himself and Zorro. One of the things he had come up with was for Diego to place more importance on appearances. This had led him to take ample time every afternoon to dress up before dinner. His father found it unnecessary. And truthfully, Diego agreed with his father. They were usually only three people at dinner, so there was no reason to dress up other than to give his father the impression he was a dandy. Therefore, when Diego returned to the hacienda around half-past five, he planned to go to the cave first and after that go to his room to slip into another jacket and pants to give his father the impression that he had completely changed.
However, as soon as he entered the library, he saw his father sitting there, engrossed in a book. Alejandro immediately closed the book and stood up from his chair. "Diego, I didn't expect you back so soon. Come with me for a moment," beckoned Don Alejandro towards the hallway that led to the family rooms.
"Father, I returned early, so I have enough time to change for dinner." Diego uttered.
"Diego, how many times do I have to say it? We're not in Madrid! Let alone at the court. Eugenio Beauharnais is eight thousand miles away in Spain! So would you please give it a rest? What is good enough to wear in the house of our good Lord is good enough for my dining table! Come, I want to give you something."
Diego followed his father to the don's private sitting room. He hadn't been here since his return from Spain. Diego mused that the last time might have been when his mother passed away. Usually, they discussed things in the library or, on rare occasions, in his father's office. In his younger years, that was the room he was summoned to when he had done something his father couldn't overlook, and his son deserved a reprimand.
His father walked to a cabinet that Diego vaguely remembered had a hidden compartment. Alejandro lifted a raised platform in the middle of the cabinet. It appeared solid and attached to the base, but it was a detachable piece and hollow. Alejandro picked up a small box that was underneath. "Here you go. From now on, this is yours."
Diego suspected what might be in the box, so he wasn't surprised when he saw a gold ring adorned with small diamonds and a large emerald in the centre when he opened it.
"I assume you recognize the ring?" Alejandro asked for confirmation.
Diego nodded.
"This ring has been in our family for generations. Your grandfather, his father, and I welcomed our brides into the family with this ring. Now, it's your turn to give this ring to the woman of your choice."
Diego had to swallow a lump in his throat. He knew the ring held great emotional value for his father. It was an attachment to the woman he had lost.
His father put the ring in Diego's hand. "Am I mistaken when I think you and Victoria Escalante get along well?"
Speechless, Diego nodded.
"Diego, I am well aware you don't need my permission to court her and propose. By giving you this ring, I want to let you know that I trust you to make the right decision in choosing a wife. I look forward to welcoming a woman like Victoria as a daughter into our family. I also understand that she comes from a different social rank than our family, and a marriage between you and her would be taboo in Spain. That's why I want to tell you that we live in California, and I value a woman with a warm heart over one of noble birth. Son, I want you to be happy. When Victoria is the woman to do that.., You may not need my blessing. I want to give it to you anyway."
"Thank you, father." Diego gazed at the ring, his heart pounding at the thought of sliding the precious jewel onto her finger.
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Diego sat in the cave, the ring resting in his left hand, deeply immersed in thoughts about the complex situation in which his life had become entangled. Since his return from Spain and his reunion with Victoria Escalante, there was only one woman he considered ever giving his mother's ring.
He was in love with her. That was undeniable. It felt as if the universe had conspired to bring them together. And when he was not mistaken, he could sense that he held a special place in Victoria's heart. A future filled with happiness beckoned to them. But the shadow of Zorro hung over their love like a looming cloud.
The internal struggle tore Diego apart as if his soul was being torn in two. How could he propose to Victoria while simultaneously hiding a part of himself, the part known as the masked outlaw, from her? He couldn't risk involving his beloved in his dangerous double life. Not while knowing it would put her safety at risk. The idea that his secret would expose her to the alcalde and his men, revengeful enemies of Zorro, filled him with deep fear and guilt.
By fighting as Zorro for a more just and less corrupt government, he did not only put his own life at stake but also Felipe's, his father's, their tenants, and everything connected to the Rancho de la Vega. The thought that if the alcalde or anyone else were to ever discover the truth, his actions could cause irreparable harm to those he sought to protect. It paralyzed him with fear.
Diego's mind raced like a storm as he wrestled, thinking of the consequences of his choices. His love for Victoria was undeniable, but could he bear the responsibility of protecting her from the dark forces that crossed his path? His heart yearned for a future with her, while his mind warned of the dangers that would threaten them.
With a sigh of weariness, Diego stared at the ring in his hand, aware of the difficult path ahead. It was clear that there was no easy solution. He would have to make a decision that would not merely affect his life, but also the lives of the woman he loved and the people he protected.
As the darkness of the cave enveloped his thoughts, Diego was determined to find an answer to his dilemma. He couldn't give up the fight just yet. At the same time, his heart longed for Victoria.
Diego wondered if Victoria would ever understand that his actions stemmed from a deep-rooted urge for justice and protection of the weak. Or would she continue to view his actions as reckless and dangerous, questioning whether he made the right decisions? He couldn't deny that Victoria had expressed doubts numerous times. She was among the few who dared to voice valid criticism of Zorro's actions.
While the alcalde constantly labelled Zorro as a dangerous bandit, which was not surprising considering Zorro's consistent interference with his schemes, the people gradually elevated Zorro to an almost godlike status.
Whenever Zorro entered the pueblo, countless women tried to capture his attention, but Victoria remained unaffected. Men, women and children cheered to express their support. Victoria turned her back and walked away.
Only that very first time, when he had rescued her and his father from prison, had he glimpsed admiration in her eyes. On all other occasions, she made it clear that she was well aware of the downsides of Zorro's interference.
The idea that deep at heart, Victoria disliked Zorro, and she might reject him if she discovered Diego had an alter ego caused unbearable pain in his chest.
What he would most like to do at this moment was to ride to the pueblo and ask for her hand. Victoria was a woman like no other. He had never met anyone quite like her before. Any man who failed to see that was a fool. There was a good chance, sooner or later, another man would try to win her heart and declare his love. That thought made Diego feel sick. However, he realized he couldn't simply abandon his mission. Injustice in the world would persist, and he couldn't bring it to himself to turn a blind eye. Not after all the good Zorro had done so far.
Did he dare to take the risk and wait to ask for her hand until Zorro was no longer needed? Who knew how long that could take? And could he expect her to wait patiently without knowing the reason?
What should he do? Now that Zorro had become an integral part of his life, having a second identity living on the edge of the law and constantly driving the alcalde to madness, he carried an enormous responsibility.
If only his dilemma were as simple as it seemed. What was more important, his love for Victoria or his calling as Zorro? He intensely longed to share his life with her, but he couldn't simply deny a part of himself. Zorro was more than just a mask and a cape. He had become a symbol of hope and justice that inspired the oppressed and defied the tyrants. Could he ignore his self-imposed duty and passively watch as injustice and corruption gained more ground?
The night progressed, and Diego remained seated in the cave, torn by his inner struggle. It wasn't a matter of right or wrong choice. It was a complex balance between love, responsibility, and sacrifice. He realized that ultimately he had to make a decision. But at this moment, it felt like he was trapped in an inextricable knot of emotions without any clear answer in sight.
At some point, Diego couldn't bear the pressure any longer. His conflict became unbearable with every breath he took. He screamed, and in a burst of frustration, he threw the ring against the cave wall, the sound of his voice and metal against stone breaking the silence. The echo filled the space, reflecting his inner turmoil.
He stood up and began pacing back and forth, running his hands through his hair as he spoke to himself. "What should I do? How can I choose between my feelings for her and my responsibility as Zorro? I want to protect her, but I can't tell her the truth. I want to ask her to share her life with me, but how can I do that without risking her life? How selfish am I when I choose for her?"
Diego's voice filled the cave as his emotions escalated. "I don't want to risk losing her to someone else, either. She means everything to me. She brings light into my darkness, hopes into my despair. Without her..., I would be lost. Victoria doesn't know, but without her, Zorro wouldn't even exist!" He pounded his fist against the rock wall, his frustration and confusion palpable.
Then the cave got filled with the sound of hooves stamping on the ground. Diego looked up and saw Tornado trying to get his attention. The intelligent horse seemed to be able to sense his innermost thoughts often. It felt comforting as the stallion pressed his head against Diego's shoulder. "Sense and sensibility, how hard it is to choose one over the other."
Diego took a deep breath and gently stroked Tornado's neck. "Perhaps a new day will bring a clearer perspective. And is there an answer that I've overlooked so far? But one thing is certain. In the end, Victoria's safety will always be my utmost priority."
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Eugenio Beauharnais, Duke of Leuchtenberg, was a prominent figure in the Spanish court in the 19th century and was known for his refined taste and elegance in clothing and appearance. He can get seen as the Spanish Beau Brummel, the most famous dandy of that time.
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The next chapters are inspired by the episode 'The Sure Thing', S1E6.
