Chapter 2
"Felipe, do you know where Diego is?" Don Alejandro didn't even look surprised when the boy couldn't give him an answer. "Unbelievable," he said, loudly grumbling as he walked through the library. "We've been busy preparing for two weeks, working every day. And now, right before the big moment, he just disappears without saying anything." Don Alejandro paused for a moment by the mirror and looked at himself. "What do you think? Do I look like don Quixote?"
Don Alejandro had dressed up as don Quixote, the iconic knight figure from his favourite novel. The story was about the adventures of a foolish nobleman who fought imaginary enemies, like windmills. His unrestrained imagination and noble ideals led to many comical and adventurous situations. He had borrowed some items from the church, it got used for the Easter performance. He had attached a bunch of feathers to a Roman helmet, serving as his mask and visor. A piece of metal acted as a breastplate, and Maria had transformed an old pair of pants into breeches. She had even fashioned a medieval collar out of an old sheet. With a white shirt and boots, his transformation was complete.
The idea of organizing a masked ball had spontaneously arisen during a conversation with Don Miguel. It seemed to be the latest trend in European courts. Stories were circulating that kings dressed up as beggars, and Marie Antoinette was very popular among the ladies. Don Alejandro loosened his collar a bit. Maria had used quite a bit of starch to make the pleats fall better, but it was far from comfortable.
"We agreed to be in Los Angeles by six o'clock to help Victoria with the final preparations," said Don Alejandro. "That boy has no sense of responsibility." He shook his head. "Well, let's go. Victoria will wonder what is keeping us."
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I suspect I will be able to post two or three chapters a week. The first few are done, and I know how the finale will go.