It was the starting of 19th century.Although America Was independent,the state California was still ruled by Spain.
San Tasco was the town in which Army had created their base.It was near the sea,had a nice port and its transport system was quite excellent.
But people of San Tasco weren't happy at all.Since the new commander came from two years ago.The Soldiers torture the natives,steal their crops,force their girls to marry them,even killing them.
Many tried to rebel against them,but they got caught and were executed.
Don Alejandro de la Vega came to San Tasco 28 years ago.He was a Spanish Nobleman who came to America for a tour,and fell in love with Diana Peters,daughter of an American revolutionary.They got married.Diana's father was rich and had lands in San Tasco,which was finally inherited by Alejandro.He established a hacienda and soon became the richest man.
He and Diana had two children there,a daughter Selena and A son Diego.They appointed a half indian half Spanish childless widow Maria as the keeper.Maria took good care of the Hacienda and loved both children as her own.
Carlos Pulido was a soldier for Spanish army,who was banished due to his rusty behaviour and that he eloped with the second most wealthiest man Miguel Carcassa's daughter Catalina.Although Miguel was furious and refused to accept both of them,Alejandro and Diana consulted him to agree as he had no relatives.
Carlos and Cataline both were clumsy in taking care of their Hacienda,but Alejandro was quick to help.Soon they became friends.Both had a daughter by the time,Lolita.Lolita was one and a half year younger than Diego.
But tragedy striked soon.Diana fell ill and died.Selena was 14 and Diego was 10.Whole town mourned for her.For them she was a princess from outer state,who prayed regular,fed the poor and help those in need.Even the commander of Army,Joaquin Manrique mourned for her,for her good work.
Soon Diego and Lolita became friends.Lolita was often bullied by local boys and it was Diego who saved her.He worked with his father and the ideal boy every people wanted that their son becomes.
Two years after,At Diana's death anniversary,Diego found a toddler in front of his house,he was starving and had fever.Alejandro sent men and found a dead woman beside road,who died by presumably accident.
Diego nursed him,fed him and took care as if he was the mother.The toddler only remembered his name,Bernardo.As his and Selena's insistence,Bernardo was baptised as Bernardo de la vega and soon became a companion of 12 year old Diego.
After some incidents,which will be described later as the story will go on,Selena married a Spanish painter of noble descendant and moved in Spain.She took Diego with her,so that he can study there.Before that,Diego and Lolita,then 14 years old were engaged.
Six years had passed.Joaquin Manrique became Governor General and appointed his son-in-law as the new commander,Juan Ramon.
Juan Ramon may looked like an elegent man from outside,he was a truely evil man.And only meant business.He placed high tax rate and under his order,Spanish Army exploited people.
Even Alejandro couldn't bear all this.He often consulted and funded rebels,but all in vain.Bernardo was 12 by the time and helped him a lot.But he felt in need of his young son,who had become a grown man of 22.So he wrote letter to his children.