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 27

The following morning, Victoria entered the bedroom. "I'm going to the pueblo. Is there anything I can get you?" she asked with care.

"No, thank you," Diego replied. He watched Victoria closing the door, picked up the book he had been reading and continued.

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Victoria returned with unexpected haste. She was holding a glass of orange juice, but her hands trembled so violently that the orange juice spilt over the rim and dripped onto the floor. Diego immediately sensed that something was deeply wrong.

"Victoria, what's going on?" he asked with concern.

"Zorro is dead," she whispered with a trembling voice.

"What did you say?"

"Mendoza told me. And the alcalde confirmed it. Zorro fell from his horse into a steep ravine. According to Ramon, surviving such a fall is impossible. It took Mendoza and the lancers the whole day yesterday to retrieve the body. When do you expect your father to return?"

Diego looked sombrely ahead. He wasn't the only one who was lying, it seemed. Mendoza had known that there was nobody in the ravine. "At the earliest, in five days."

A deep sigh escaped from Victoria's burdened heart. "That's too long. The alcalde sees this as his opportunity. He feels the power flowing through his veins. Many won't be able to endure until then."

Diego furrowed his brow, his voice filled with concern. "Is the situation really that dire in the pueblo?"

Victoria nodded, her lips trembling with anger. "Not only is the alcalde forcing young men to work as slaves on his highway project, but he has also come up with new taxes. I knew something like this could happen."

Diego looked bewildered. "What else can he tax?"

Victoria spoke with bitterness in her voice. "Oh, you'd be surprised. Ramon is more creative than ever. Caballeros are forced to pay for the right to tie up their horses in the square. Sellers are exploited with taxes on every item they sell, and every citizen has to surrender ten per cent of their income, and he calls it 'income tax!'"

Diego shook his head, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Income tax? What absurd idea." He attempted to get up, but a wave of dizziness overwhelmed him.

"Diego, you need to rest. Doctor Hernandez made it very clear," warned Victoria as she took a seat in the chair Felipe had just vacated, her face marked by deep concern. "Besides, it won't change anything. Ramon simply bends the law to his will. I wish Zorro were still alive."

The news of Zorro's death had hit her like a sledgehammer. She had never wished for him to be dead. She just wanted to keep him at a distance. What would the pueblo do without Zorro? He was the only one whom Ramon somewhat feared. She wished she could let go and burst into tears.

"Don't be so sure he is dead," Diego uttered, friendly.

Victoria struggled with her emotions, trying to conceal her grief. "How can you say such a thing? If he were still alive, he would have made an appearance. The alcalde has his body at the cuartel! There will even be a memorial service tomorrow."

Diego showed genuine interest: "Whose idea was that?"

Victoria replied with a broken voice, her words nearly choked with sorrow. "Ramon, of course. He wants to end the myth of Zorro once and for all. He has promised to show the body to everyone," she whispered, her voice trembling with deep-rooted emotion. "I've told Pilar to provide shelter at the tavern for anyone getting evicted from their homes. The padre is doing the same at the church. I've only told the Flores family they can sleep in one of the guest rooms. Señor Flores is so weak he won't survive if he has to sleep on the cold floor.
And I offered a room to the Ramirez family as well. Señora Ramirez just had a baby. And the tavern is so crowded, and... and..." Victoria finally burst into tears. Felipe offered her his handkerchief, which she gratefully accepted with a watery smile. "I hope you don't mind?"

"Of course not," Diego spoke with determination in his voice. "We must not allow Ramon to succeed in destroying the will of the people."

Victoria looked bleakly ahead, her inner struggle hidden behind her strong facade. "But perhaps the damage has already been done."

She blew her noise and stood up. "I'm going to help Maria prepare the guest rooms."

Diego nodded.

Victoria nearly ran out of the room.

Diego handed Felipe the tray from his lap.

"I don't care what the doctor says," he declared resolutely. He began to get out of bed. "I have to stop this madness before it gets out of hand. Lock the door, and should Victoria ask, say I want to rest and not be disturbed by anyone."

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In the dim silence of her room, Victoria sat on the edge of her bed, tightly clutching a pillow in her arms. Tears streamed freely and incessantly down her tear-stained cheeks as she wrestled with her grief.

Zorro was dead. The whole pueblo mourned and grieved the loss of their hero. Victoria doubted if anyone felt the same way as she did. It felt like a piece of her heart had died along with Zorro. His death shouldn't affect her so tremendously. She didn't even know the man. Why did it feel like she had lost something dearer to her than herself?

As she futilely tried to suppress her sobs, memories of Zorro relentlessly invaded her thoughts. She remembered the first time she had seen him in the pueblo. His appearance was imposing and brimming with confidence. She had been instantly impressed by him. At that time, she hadn't thought much of it. She wasn't the only woman enchanted by his charm. Most women fell head over heels for him. Back then, she was already in love with Diego. Why did Zorro's death hurt so much?

Victoria tried to convince herself that her grief stemmed from knowing Zorro had done much good for Los Angeles. He had been a true hero. A protector of the people against tyranny and injustice. Without him, the small pueblo was again at the mercy of a relentless oppressor. Every sob felt like an affirmation of that loss. And of the looming threat as Ramon would soon regain free rein.

Victoria didn't want to feel these emotions. She was a married woman, and her love for Diego was genuine. She carried Diego's child within her womb. An innocent being that embodied their love. Why, amidst all of this, was her heart torn apart by pain, wondering what her life would be like if she hadn't married Diego? It was a dangerous thought, a forbidden curiosity that tormented her.

After months, she could no longer deny the truth. For reasons beyond her understanding Zorro had claimed a part of her heart.

It was too late. Far too late. She was married. And Zorro was dead. He would never know that her aversion towards him had been mere pretence.

This knowledge caused a pain as sharp as a dagger in her heart. It brought forth more tears.

And what if Diego ever found out what she had kept hidden? That thought pushed Victoria to the edge of despair.

She could vividly imagine Diego's expression, filled with anger and disappointment, and it terrified her. The thought of Diego's face, bearing a knife-like gaze, hurt her heart. She could almost hear the devastating words he was to say and feel the condemnation in his voice. He would feel deceived and betrayed by the woman he thought loved only him. His trust would crumble like a fragile structure destroyed by the force of a storm.

Victoria shuddered at the thought of the distance that would grow between them. She couldn't bear the look in Diego's eyes, the icy chill that would penetrate her soul. It was her worst nightmare to see the happiness they had built together vanish because of something she had no control over.

Her heart pleaded with her, to tell the truth, to lay everything on the table and beg for understanding and forgiveness. But fear held her back, keeping her trapped in a web of secrets. The thought of losing Diego also was unbearable.

As exhaustion slowly dried up her stream of tears Victoria felt suffocating loneliness. She had no choice but to take her secret to the grave.

She had to go to the memorial service tonight. Don Alejandro had not yet returned. Diego was physically unable to go. That meant she was the only person who could represent the de la Vega family and pay their last respects to Zorro. She would permit herself to moan for Zorro for one night. As of tomorrow she would fight every feeling she ever had for Zorro until she had forgotten it ever excisted.

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It wasn't easy for Diego and Felipe to avoid arousing suspicion in Victoria. Fortunately, the doctor had declared it safe for him not to be awakened every two hours anymore. Felipe had told Victoria that Diego was sleeping and that it was best to leave him alone. In reality, the men had been busy in the cave preparing for Zorro's memorial service until late at night. Since don Alejandro had not yet returned from Monterey and Diego was supposedly bedridden on doctor's orders, or at least that's what Victoria thought, she had suggested taking on the honours of the de la Vega family by herself. The only other option was Felipe, but many wouldn't see him as a worthy substitute for don Alejandro or don Diego.

In truth, Victoria didn't want to attend the memorial service. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to control her emotions.

She also hadn't been feeling well all day. Probably it was due to her pregnancy and the fact that she had barely slept and scarcely eaten for three days. Victoria was deeply concerned about the people in the pueblo now that their only hope had been crushed. In the tavern, she had heard the most dreadful stories about how the people condemned to work on the Ramon Highway were being treated. Victoria had to admit that the sergeant did what he could to minimize their suffering. The lancers even defied the alcalde's orders by distributing water every hour.

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Without hearing a word of what the alcalde was saying, Victoria sat in the second row of the church. She had told Diego she would attend the memorial service because there was no one else to offer condolences on behalf of the family. Diego hadn't protested. Lost in thought, she sat there, gazing aimlessly.

Suddenly, people started laughing. It took a few seconds for Victoria to realize that the sombre atmosphere that had filled the church until then had changed. Vaguely, Victoria heard an excited voice shouting, "Zorro lives! He is not dead!" That voice was met with expressions of disbelief and astonishment.

Victoria looked at the casket where Zorro's lifeless body had been lying moments ago. He was sitting up, his familiar grin on his face, arms casually resting on the sides of the casket. "Because the government corruptly oppresses its people," he declared.

Chaos erupted as people convinced themselves that Zorro was not dead. Many stood up to gain a better view of the miraculous event.

Victoria felt she was getting dizzy and was about to warn the person sitting next to her when a second wave of overwhelming faintness swept over her. Unconscious, she slid from the chair onto the stone floor.

It was sheer luck that the doctor saw what happened and rushed to Victoria's side. Doctor Hernandez ordered a carriage to be brought so that doña Victoria could be taken to the hacienda. Don Carlos immediately offered to take her home. Macias would ride ahead to open the gates and alert don Diego.

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Upon arriving at the hacienda, the gate was open, and Macias pounded forcefully on the door. "No one is answering," he called out to don Carlos and the doctor. They looked at each other uneasily. Aware of the urgency of the situation. At that moment, Felipe opened the door. He was immediately pushed aside by Macias to allow don Carlos to walk through carrying Victoria in his arms. "Her bedroom?" don Carlos asked the doctor, who knew the way.

Felipe looked confused at the door opening, unsure of what was happening. He quickly slipped into the cave, hoping that Zorro would return soon, so he could warn Diego that something was wrong with Victoria. His heart pounded in his throat as he impatiently rushed down the steps leading into the cave. To his relief, Diego was getting dressed. Felipe began gesturing to indicate that something was going on.

The frantic way by which Felipe gestured was enough to convince Diego that something was amiss. "What is it, Felipe? Victoria? What happened to her?" His voice was immediately filled with concern and fear. Felipe quickly made gestures to indicate the doctor and Victoria.

"The doctor is here. Does he want to see me? No, something's wrong with Victoria?" Diego interpreted Felipe's gestures.

Diego dropped everything, quickly put on his dressing gown, fastened the front panels, and tightly tied the belt around his waist. He rushed out of the cave, followed by Felipe.

His heartbeat accelerated as Diego, slightly out of breath, darted into the family wing, where he found don Carlos and Macias. "Felipe came to warn me that something's wrong with Victoria. What happened?"

Don Carlos spoke, his voice filled with concern. "Don Diego, we're not exactly sure. Doctor Hernandez is with her, examining her... She fainted during Zorro's memorial service."

Diego looked at the closed door behind which the woman he deeply loved was, not knowing what was wrong with her. His heart pounded heavily in his throat. "Well, I'll better go," stammered Macias, not quite sure how to compose himself in the large hacienda late at night in the company of two dons, one in night attire.

Don Carlos nodded briefly. "Yes, I'll come with you. Please give our best wishes to doña Victoria. And, don Diego, take it easy yourself. We heard you had a nasty fall from that old tame mare." There was a hint of mockery in don Carlos's voice as he and Macias struggled to suppress their laughter.

Diego felt the sting of their words, knowing they had no idea of the truth behind his fall.

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It seemed like an eternity before the bedroom door opened, and doctor Hernandez emerged. The doctor saw Diego and immediately addressed him, "Ah, don Diego, didn't I prescribe strict bed rest for you?"

Diego ignored the remark and asked, with bated breath, the only question that mattered at that moment, "What's wrong with Victoria? Don Carlos told me she fainted." His concerns were palpable, his voice tense.

"You should be in bed, young man. You've likely broken some ribs, and I wouldn't be surprised if you have brain damage," the doctor lectured, a tone of irritation in his voice.

"To hell with your advice. Tell me what's wrong with Victoria," Diego replied impatiently, his voice trembling with tension and fear. The doctor glanced briefly at the closed door and then pushed Diego towards the library. "Fine. You're just like your father, equally stubborn when it comes to your own health."

Once inside the library, the doctor wearily sank into a chair. "Sit down, don Diego."

"I prefer to stand," Diego protested.

"Sit," the doctor's stern tone allowed no room for discussion.

Reluctantly, Diego took a seat, his nerves taut as a bowstring.

"Alright, now let's talk about doña Victoria. I'm worried. Very worried, to be honest. I just examined her, and I'm shocked," the doctor began.

Diego looked at him anxiously and asked, his voice barely audible, "Is it that serious?"

"Doña Victoria has lost weight when she should be gaining in her condition. I have a feeling she's preoccupied with something, not eating sufficiently, and neglecting herself," the doctor explained, his voice filled with concern. "When I spoke to her last week, she mentioned hardly experiencing any nausea. Tell me, does she eat poorly or vomit frequently?"

"Not that I know of," Diego replied, confused and with his thoughts in disarray. Had Victoria gone to the doctor last week? She hadn't mentioned anything about it. Did it mean she hadn't been feeling well for a while?

The doctor concluded, "So, she barely eats." His voice was grave. "It's crucial she gets sufficient nutrition, especially at this stage. Tell her this, and, if necessary, insist that she eats properly,'" he urged, his words filled with urgency. "Lots of vegetables, fruits, milk and eggs."

"Doctor, I don't understand what you're talking about. Don Carlos only told me Victoria fainted. What's wrong with her? What did you mean by her condition? Is she ill?" His confusion and worries grow with each sentence Diego speaks.

"Her pregnancy, of course," the doctor answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Diego felt dizzy and was glad he was sitting down. A mix of astonishment, joy, and worry overwhelmed him. "Victoria is pregnant?" he exclaimed, almost unable to believe it, his eyes wide open.

"She didn't tell you?" the doctor asked, his voice filled with the same astonishment as Diego's. "She has known for over a month."

Diego's heart pounded in his chest as he let the impact of those words sink in.

"Doña Victoria needs to start eating better. And not get so worked up. Otherwise, she risks losing her baby."

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