My thanks to PamZ for her transcript contributions which have contributed significantly to the creation of this story.

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

Chapter 22

The following morning, Victoria woke up early. There were still a few preparations to be made. Although some servants from the hacienda had come to help, and her helpers had prepared everything meticulously, there was still plenty to do.

Around ten o'clock, Pilar has had enough. "Victoria, out of the kitchen. You need to go and get yourself prepared. We'll manage fine here."

"Yes, in a moment. I only need to..."

Pilar sternly interrupts her. "The only thing you need to do is go upstairs."

Since Pilar was supported by the other helpers, Victoria had little choice but to allow herself to be gently coerced into her room.

When Victoria opened the door, she couldn't believe her eyes. Standing before her was the largest tub she had ever seen, filled with water and waiting for her in her bedroom.

Ah, there you are," said Maria, the housekeeper of the de la Vega household. "We thought you might want to take a bath first."

Victoria was completely bewildered. "How did you manage to do this?" she asked, spinning around and noticing Pilar, Alicia, Maria, and Lucia standing at the door, smiling.

Pilar says, "With ingenuity and a little help."

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Maria helped Victoria take her clothes off. "Don Alejandro insisted I come to help you. So here I am."

The water is at the perfect temperature; the soap smells delightful, and taking a bath feels like a luxurious indulgence.

Maria is busy laying out the wedding dress Victoria will wear later.

Victoria remarked, "This isn't necessary; I can manage on my own."

"Just enjoy it. It's your wedding day. And it's supposed to be unforgettable."

"I truly do not understand how Diego managed to pull this off unnoticed. After all, it was his idea, was it not?"

Maria laughed. "My lips are sealed. You were so busy with everything else that an entire herd of stampeding cows could have stormed through the main room, and you wouldn't have noticed a thing."

Victoria blushes. She had indeed sought a lot of distractions.

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After the bath, Maria helped Victoria dry off. "Shall we start by doing your hair?"

Here, Maria demonstrates her skills honed while serving as a maid for a doña for many years. With great dexterity, she pins up Victoria's hair with just a few hairpins.

Alicia brought a light lunch for everyone to enjoy before Maria helped Victoria put on her wedding dress.

"You look like a vision," Maria tells Victoria, buttoning the back of the dress.

As the ceremony approached, Victoria's nerves grew. Everything was happening so quickly. Did she really love Diego enough to spend the rest of her life with him?

"One more thing; wait here. I will be right back."

Maria left the room and returned almost immediately, carrying a beautiful bouquet of deep red roses.

"Here you go. Don't they look lovely?"

Carefully, Victoria touches the delicate pedals. "They are. And such a vivid colour."

"From the de la Vega garden. Don Diego personally picked and de-thorned them this morning."

Victoria notices there is a note attached. She opens it and reads.

My lovely Victoria,

May this day be the first of many happy ones to come.

Always yours, Diego.

Tears start to well up in Victoria's eyes.

Her gaze meets Maria's concerned look in the mirror. "I just don't know, Maria. I love Diego so much, but... I can't explain it. It is just..."

Maria stood beside her and wiped away her tears. "Every bride is nervous on her wedding day. As is every groom. Your life is about to change. Trust me, Don Diego will make a fine husband."

That wasn't what Victoria doubted. She doubted she would make him a fine wife.

"I promise you, give Don Diego a chance, and there won't be anything he wouldn't do for you."

That was partly the reason why she was afraid of it. Victoria couldn't express this fear to Maria.

The woman spoke on in an effort to reassure the nervous bride.

"Come on, dear. You don't want to stand at the altar with tear-filled eyes. Everything will work out. You love don Diego, right?"

Victoria nodded. Yes, she loved Diego. What she felt for Zorro was nothing more than a weird desire she could ignore.

"And to me, it is obvious he loves you. And I have known him since he was two years old. A little case of cold feet? As you feel now? It is only natural." Maria broke the tension by wiping a tear from her eyes and starting to grin. "Look at us. Both of us are crying on such a happy occasion. We better hurry. It's almost time."

Victoria's heart pounded in her chest as she stood up and made some final, unnecessary adjustments to her appearance. The church bells had started ringing, announcing the groom's arrival in the church. She felt a mixture of emotions welling up inside her. The love she felt for Diego and the fear her feelings wouldn't contain. But she had made a decision, and today she would marry Diego.

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As the ceremony progressed, Victoria's thoughts drifted to the months leading up to this special day. She contemplated her future life and pondered various questions. Would she be happy? Would their love stand the test of time? Her mind was filled with doubts, but one thing remained certain. She would banish Zorro from her thoughts and devote herself to a happy marriage with the man she loved so deeply. If she succeeded, a future filled with joy awaited her.

While the priest continued the ceremony, Victoria found solace in the loving gaze she saw in Diego's eyes. She was comforted by the warmth of his hand holding hers and knew she could trust him blindly. As if the world around them faded, they seemed to be the only ones left, entwined in a moment of eternal promise.

The meaning of the words slowly sank in as they solemnly exchanged their vows. They promised to be faithful to each other, in good times and bad, in prosperity and adversity. And when his lips gently touched hers, her doubt disappeared. She had made the right choice.

As of now, she was señora de la Vega.

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After receiving congratulations as the festivities were still in full swing, Diego and Victoria got joyfully waved off by the entire pueblo. Diego manoeuvred the carriage through the crowd and under the pueblo's entrance gate, heading toward the hacienda.

Upon arriving at the hacienda, they found a beautifully set table awaiting them. Diego presented her with the painting he had made of the tavern. Victoria was impressed by the level of detail with which Diego had immortalized the place. She had spent most of her savings buying him a gold pocket watch, which she knew he would appreciate. He was pleased with the present, especially with the engraved inscription on the inside with their names and the wedding date.

As the evening grew later, tension mounted until Diego casually remarked, "Shall we prepare ourselves for the night?"

Victoria nodded.

Diego offered her his arm, and together they walked to the family wing. He stopped in front of one of the doors, hesitating.

Victoria realized he seemed as nervous as she was and had no idea what to do. Her heart pounded in her chest. He was incredibly handsome. His eyes were sparkling, and his smile was enchanting. She felt fortunate that he was her husband.

Diego lingered by the door.

"Aren't you coming in?" she asked calmly. Diego nodded, stepped over the threshold, and closed the door behind him.

Victoria felt shy, what should she do next?

Diego resolved this by standing before her and tenderly pressing his lips against hers. The kiss was soft and controlled.

Diego felt his heart pounding in his chest as he pressed his lips to Victoria's.

He had made tremendous efforts to distinguish Zorro and Diego's personalities. He had to remember that Victoria was Diego's wife. Over the past few months, he had carefully distinguished Diego and Zorro into two separate behaviours. Both were a part of him. But the part of him being Zorro was not allowed in this room.

Diego wished he could fully be himself with her. However, the fear of rejection, should she discover the identity of his alter ego, prevented him from kissing her the way he longed to, with all his heart.

Victoria sensually licked her lips, a gesture that melted Diego. He wanted to pull her tightly against him and fully taste the sweetness of her lips. Instead, he let his lips glide over her forehead, along her temples, to the corner of her mouth.

His moustache tickled her skin. Eventually, their lips found each other again. Diego groaned and forced himself not to give in to his feelings.

Victoria enjoyed his touch. His hands wrapped around her waist. Her fingers clenched the fabric of his shirt as she pulled herself even closer, hoping he would understand her desires and feel the same.

He loved her with all his heart and soul. He had to find a way to suppress his desire but still satisfy her. The part of him that was Zorro could not have access to their marital bed. Diego struggled to restrain his passion and keep the real longing he felt for her hidden. He had to act like don Diego.

Victoria was pressed against a solid chest, momentarily experiencing a wave of fear. She had heard stories about how the intimacy between a man and a woman could be unpleasant. And the first time could also be painful. A man with the physique of Diego could easily break her like a twig if he wanted to. But this was Diego. And he would never harm anyone, especially someone he loved.

Another thought entered her mind. How would it feel to be embraced and kissed this passionately by Zorro? Zorro was physically capable of so much more than Diego. No, she couldn't think about that. Not now, not ever, and certainly not during their wedding night. Victoria banished the thought to the farthest corner of her mind.

Diego was here. He was her husband. The one with whom she wanted to build a future, and the kisses he gave her made her yearn for more.

Diego gently kissed her on the cheek and wiped away her tear. He wanted to reassure her.

She felt Diego's index finger glide across her cheek, and he tilted her chin up to look at him. "Is everything all right?" he asked. "You seem so distant."

"Yes, I, I..." she stammered, unable to say that she wasn't only thinking of him but also of another man.

Diego kissed her cheek, and Victoria closed her eyes, a tear escaping from the corner of her eye. His touch was so understanding and tender. Why was she thinking of Zorro when the man she loved, the one she wanted to be with, was right here? He was her husband, standing right in front of her.

"It'll be fine. I won't do anything you don't want," Diego whispered reassuringly.

Her fear faded away, getting replaced by a strange feeling of excitement for the unknown. "I know," she said.

Diego looked at her, his heart pounding in his throat. He noticed that the desire to make Victoria his was growing stronger. Diego doubted where to find the strength to restrain himself. He had no choice. Diego sank to his knees, making Victoria tower8ng over him. His head reached her breasts. "May I?" he asked.

What did he want? Victoria nodded somewhat uncertainly. Diego undid the top buttons of her back panel and pushed the sleeves down, exposing her shoulders and the top of her breasts. Victoria gasped for breath, feeling the familiar spark when his lips touched her skin. His touches were gentle. His hands caressed her skin. Diego took his time exploring her. His fingertips playfully glided over her back and hips. He pushed the dress further down, his hands sliding over her body. With a soft rustle, the many layers of fabric and lace fell to the ground, creating a cloud-like pile around her feet. A wave of excitement and tingling spread through her skin as it felt like Diego was touching her everywhere.

While unfastening the ribbons of her corset, it slowly dawned on Victoria that she was almost naked. Only a thin cotton chemise covered her body. A feeling of shyness overwhelmed her. Diego was still almost fully dressed. The contrast between her half-undressed state. And his clothed state made her uncomfortable. Her voice faltered. "Diego..."

He looked at her, and the intensity with which he gazed at her made her forget everything for a moment.

"Yes, my dear."

She dared not speak, afraid her words might shatter the enchantment.

How beautiful she was. And kind. And charming. And fascinating. And breathtaking. And seductive. And everything a man could dream of. In her eyes, Diego saw anticipation for the unknown.
In one smooth motion, he rose, lifted her in his arms, and carried Victoria to the bed, gently laying her down on the soft mattress.

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With a sigh, Diego rolled out of bed, minimizing his movements.

"What are you doing?" Victoria inquired, perplexed by his actions.

He smiled wearily but kindly at her. "Doing what is expected of a proper husband," he answered mysteriously, without revealing his true intentions.

Diego stood up and walked to the dresser, where he grabbed a cloth, wet it with warm water from the washing jug, and returned. "I apologize if our intimacy was uncomfortable for you," he said.

Victoria blushed. None of that. Their intimacy had been nothing like the stories of pain and discomfort she had heard. "No," she said softly. "I enjoyed it."

"That's good to hear," Diego said as he moved aside the blankets and sat on the edge of the bed. "May I?"

Victoria wasn't sure what he meant, so she nodded. The marriage had been consummated, and Victoria couldn't imagine what Diego might want to do now that she wouldn't agree to.

Tenderly, Diego cleaned the area between her legs. Victoria blushed, feeling both embarrassed and touched by his caring gesture.

Diego took her hand and kissed it. "I found it delightful as well," he whispered sincerely before standing up again.

Victoria thought Diego would put the cloth on the dresser and return to the bed. But instead, he walked toward the door separating their rooms.

"Good night, my love," he said with a gentle smile as he grasped the doorknob.

Goodnight? "Where are you going?" Victoria asked, bewildered by the idea that he seemed to go to his bedroom.

With a feigned frown, Diego looked at Victoria, his face full of self-assuredness. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, he said, "I'm going to freshen up and prepare for the night. It is only proper for a gentleman to retreat to his own room after fulfilling the marital obligations." He spoke patiently, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

Astounded, Victoria looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise and disappointment. Marital obligations? Had she heard that correctly? For Diego, their intimacy had been an obligation? Something you just had to do? She could hardly believe her ears. Victoria knew well that it was customary in the higher social classes for husband and wife to have separate rooms. She hadn't expected Diego to value these behavioural norms so much that he would prefer to sleep in a different room than hers. Surely, not on their wedding night. "But Diego, we're married. I don't mind sharing this room," she said softly, her voice trembling with disappointment.

Diego maintained his charade. Assuming his best dandy posture, he stammered in feigned alarm, "Share? You mean sleep in the same room?" His words dripped with the semblance of politeness. "I wouldn't want to disturb your sleep with my snoring," he whispered as a feeble excuse.

Victoria's heart sank at his words. She had hoped they would spend the night together, their bodies close, entwined in loving embraces as they exchanged declarations of love and shared dreams of the future. Instead, she was now facing the prospect of a lonely night.

She swallowed her disappointment and tried to hide her emotions. "Oh, I understand," she uttered softly, her eyes glancing downward. The pain in her heart was undeniable.

Diego gave her another loving smile, but Victoria saw the distance in his eyes. It was as if he were wearing an invisible mask. Diego had shut himself off from her.

To Victoria, it felt as if he were playing a role in a play she didn't understand.

Carrying a heavy heart, Diego left the room. He regretted having to leave Victoria with confusion and doubt. He fervently hoped she wouldn't think that he didn't care about her. In reality, it was quite the opposite. He loved her so much that he wanted to protect her, even if it meant not spending the nights by her side. If giving up the warmth of Victoria's body in his arms was the price he had to pay to keep his secret, he would make that sacrifice with an aching heart.
Even if it meant spending the nights alone in a cold and empty bed, yearning for her presence, it was a torture for his soul. He hoped soon he could tell her, and she would understand why he had made this choice.

After the door closed shut behind him, silence enveloped the bedroom.
Victoria wondered why Diego had withdrawn. Why didn't he want to be with her, to share his warmth and affection? Doubts crept through her mind like shadows as she questioned whether she had done something wrong or hadn't she met his expectations. She also wondered if he valued social conventions, even in the privacy of their bedroom, more than being together.

Being together, wasn't that what lovers desired most?

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