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

Every word you recognize from the series isn't mine.

This chapter has a slight reference to the episode 'Dead men tell no tales.' S1E1.

Chapter 16

Over two months later, Victoria was on her way to the hacienda. The tavern was closed today, and don Alejandro had invited her to spend the afternoon and evening at the hacienda.

Since Diego's severe cold, she had seen him almost daily. During his sickness, he had suggested reading aloud from Haydn's book. The book turned out to be a collection of seventeen letters about the biography of an Austrian composer. It contained amusing anecdotes and interesting facts. Victoria had her doubts about the truthfulness of the events as described. Nevertheless, she had enjoyed Diego's deep, soothing voice. When his voice began to fade due to the cold, Victoria hesitantly suggested reading a portion herself.

Secretly, it had been a kind of test. Two years ago, she had been deeply hurt by a caballero. He showered her with attention and small gifts until he discovered she struggled with reading. His words, saying she was not educated enough to be worthy of him, had deeply affected her. She didn't want to experience such a situation again. Her feelings had developed to the point where if Diego intended to reject her because of her limited education, she would rather know it right away than after their relationship had grown further.
When young, Diego had a private tutor, and later he studied at the University of Madrid. Victoria, on the other hand, attended church school as a child and started helping her parents in the tavern at the age of twelve. As a result, she could read, but not as fluently as she would have liked. And this had made her suitor back away two years ago.

Diego had not treated her condescendingly; in fact, quite the opposite. After he realized she couldn't read properly, he told her that she had simply been educated differently from him. Not less or simpler, merely differently. The way he had said it had given her a warm feeling. Diego then provided the example that he had no idea how to cook. While she was able to prepare a healing soup with just a few ingredients. He expressed his admiration for her ability to run the tavern single-handedly at a young age. "You could never have accomplished that had you not been an intelligent woman."

Then, Diego kindly suggested helping her practise to improve her reading skills. Since then, Diego had come to the tavern almost daily around siesta time. While she was busy preparing the evening meal, Diego would start reading. Then she would sit next to him, and they would continue reading together.
Initially, she struggled with the words and sentences. Under Diego's encouraging gaze, she quickly became able to focus on the content of the text and improve her skills.

When they finished the book about Haydn, Diego selected another book that he thought would amuse her. And he was right. She enjoyed the adventures of the brave ship's doctor Lemuel Gulliver and his explorations of the most exotic places, where he encountered the most extraordinary creatures. From giants to tiny men.

Meanwhile, Victoria had reached the front door, which Felipe opened. He gestured for her to take a seat in the garden while he went to call Diego.

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Diego stared at the shimmering gold engagement ring, with an emerald in the centre surrounded by small diamonds. He had thought long and hard about it and prayed he had found an acceptable solution to what to do. After much pondering, he had thought of a plan to bind Victoria to him without having to reveal his secret or jeopardize her safety. Today, he was going to propose to her. It felt like he had no other choice. Victoria was a beautiful, kind woman with many talents. A man would be blind not to want to bind such a woman to himself. If he did nothing, he risked losing her to someone else. That was something he wanted to avoid at all costs.
Was it fair? No.
Did he hate his idea? Most definitely.

However, it was the only way out of this swamp he had created himself. His love for her was so strong, so deeply rooted, that he couldn't imagine having to live without her.
Diego saw Felipe entering the cave.

"Is Victoria here yet? She's early. Wish me luck?"

Felipe was aware of his plan and, like him, didn't really approve of the idea.
You're trying to bind her to you under false pretences. That was what Felipe had commented.

"What do you want me to do? Stop being Zorro and let the people of Los Angeles suffer for it?"

Felipe signed. How about telling her the truth?

If only it were as easy as it sounded. And besides, the truth wouldn't guarantee Victoria's safety. And then there was that nagging fear. Victoria still held a critical opinion of Zorro. Occasionally, he tried to bring it up. Usually when Zorro made an appearance in Los Angeles. He had felt a glimmer of hope when Victoria had praised Toronado and Zorro to señor Herrera. Later, Victoria admitted that she had done it mainly to annoy señor Herrera and that her opinion of Zorro hadn't changed. According to her, Zorro had little sense of responsibility. He only offered short-term solutions and consciously put lives at risk with his reckless riding style. By constantly challenging the alcalde, he only made the situation worse for many residents.

Diego had to admit it was true. Ramon, indeed, had developed a habit of enacting all sorts of nonsensical laws to lure Zorro to Los Angeles in an attempt to capture him. Two weeks ago, Ramon had made another attempt to tarnish Zorro's reputation. During one of their patrols, the lancers had come across the lifeless body of a man. A Z had been carved into his vest, so according to the alcalde, there was only one possibility.
This proved that Zorro was nothing more than a cold-blooded murderer, or so the alcalde kept telling. There had even been a funeral. The incident caused the pueblo to get divided into two camps. Those who believed they knew something else going on. And those who demanded Zorro's arrest and execution.
Naturally, he had wanted to unravel the truth. Especially because if a man was running around committing murders in Zorro's name, he needed to expose him. In the end, Zorro proved his innocence. The so-called victim was an actor hired by Ramon to turn people against Zorro. Zorro had managed to track down the man. And he escorted the man to his own funeral to show that he wasn't as dead as everyone thought. For Victoria, however, it had mainly been a reason to prove her point. Zorro didn't bring only justice to the pueblo. And after this murder accusation, the reward for Zorro's life had increased to two thousand pesos. It gave Ramon enough reason to come up with another tax. Every resident had to pay two pesos per month to better deploy and train the lancers. Ramon had asked and got more lancers from Monterey. The men complained endlessly about the crowded, inadequate facilities in the barracks. This, too, added to the negativity surrounding Zorro. Ramon gladly proclaimed that the new tax was entirely attributable to Zorro.

Zorro planned to resolve the issue of the extra tax this week. As Diego, he had been working with Mendoza to make some minor improvements in the barracks. And as long as Mendoza remained responsible for training his troops, Zorro didn't have to worry about a few more or fewer soldiers in the pueblo.

Today, Diego didn't want to think about Zorro. He was going to propose to the woman he loved.

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Diego found Victoria in the garden. Her beauty, outlined against a white wall covered in climbing roses, once again took his breath away. She was sitting next to a flowerbed of white daisies. Diego wished he could capture her beauty in a painting. Victoria looked up, smiled, and got up to approach him. "Diego, buenos días."

"Buenos días, Victoria."

Diego took her hand and led her to the terrace, where the book "Gulliver's Travels" waited for them. Victoria sat down on the chair and uttered,
"I almost regret that the book is almost finished. Just a few more chapters to go. I'm reading much better than before. It's thanks to your patience."

"Practice makes perfect. Victoria, I truly enjoy our reading hours. If you don't mind, I would like to continue the habit. Perhaps with less frequency."

"I also take great pleasure in it. And I'm curious about which other books you have in mind." Victoria noticed herself blushing. Was she openly flirting with Diego?

"There are thousands to choose from. I'm sure I can find something that will please both of us. Victoria, before we begin. There's something I'd like to ask you." Diego felt the tension increase.
Oh, that lovely smile. That's what heaven must look like. Diego stood before her, knelt, and took a ring out of his vest pocket. "Victoria Escalante…,"

Victoria stared at Diego. Was he going to propose to her? Here? Now? Her heart raced. Victoria did not doubt that she loved him. Besides, Diego would be a good husband to her. She liked him very much. His calmness had a positive effect on her often fiery temperament. Victoria enjoyed his company, and even the slightest physical contact sent sparks through her entire body.
But now, as he was on the verge of a marriage proposal, doubts started to arise within Victoria. Was she entitled to accept his offer of marriage when there was another man she felt physically attracted to? Zorro! No matter what she claimed to the outside world, she meant nothing of it. Secretly, she admired the masked man.
Mostly at night, Zorro kept her awake. Whenever he appeared in the pueblo she wanted to scream for his attention. Victoria had pondered countless times what was drawing her to the outlaw. It was probably the mystery surrounding his presence.

While Diego tried to control his nerves and Victoria struggled internally, they stood there, caught in a moment of silence. The ring burned in Diego's hand. It was a symbol of his love and dedication.
And in Victoria's heart lived the desire for a life with a man like Diego by her side grew.

Finally, Diego broke the silence and looked Victoria directly in the eyes. "Victoria, my dearest, I can no longer keep silent. Since my return from Spain, my heart belongs to you. It would give me great pleasure should you be willing to share the rest of our lives. Let us, like Lemuel Gulliver, explore new horizons. Victoria, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"

Victoria's breath caught as she looked at Diego, his icy blue eyes filled with love.
Any doubt she felt quickly melted away at the sight of his genuine love for her and her desire to have a family.

Diego noticed a hesitation. "I understand if you need some time to think about it. Marriage is a big step."

Victoria was fully aware that by accepting his proposal, she allowed herself a future based on equality, respect, love, and a warm family. With a smile on her face she placed her hand on his cheek. She uttered. "No, I..,"

Diego's expression crumbled, his disappointment evident.

Victoria quickly realized her mistake and hurriedly corrected herself. "I mean, yes. No, I mean, no, I don't need to think about it." Wholeheartedly, she uttered with almost her entire heart. "Diego, yes. I love you too. I would love to marry you."

Diego's heart filled with joy as he slid the ring onto Victoria's finger.
"Victoria, you make me the happiest man on earth." They embraced each other and sealed their promise with a kiss.

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In the series, Diego has attempted to propose to Victoria as himself at least once. And I'm not even counting the time when Zorro suggested that she could marry Diego. For me, it's only logical that he does it in this story too. Whether it's wise or not... I won't express my opinion on that yet. I hope you like to find out. So, please let me know when you do.

In the episode 'The Sure Thing,' S1E6, don Alejandro mentions that a book about Haydn has arrived. The description as it was written in this chapter could be about that particular book.
Haydn: Chronicle and Works by Georg August Griesinger was published in 1810. Griesinger was a close friend of Haydn. The book offers a firsthand account of the composer's life. The book includes anecdotes, personal recollections, and a catalogue of Haydn's works.