Chapter 3
Felipe did know where Diego was, or at least he had a strong suspicion. Alcalde de Soto had set his sights on collecting overdue taxes from farmers who had no financial means to pay yet. In about two weeks, harvest would begin, and people would be able to pay. It was up to Zorro to ensure those farmers weren't harassed and to create sufficient distractions to buy them some time. Zorro should have been back by now, as Diego had made it clear he wanted to attend the masked ball.
Initially, Felipe had considered dressing as Zorro. But Victoria talked him out of it. Apparently, several men had already come up with that idea, making it far from original. Diego then suggested going dressed as Robin Hood. Felipe suspected that most people wouldn't even know the story about England's most notorious outlaw. So he dismissed the idea. In the end, they went to the church together and put together a costume that made him resemble the famous King Arthur.
The sword Diego had received from his father upon his return now served as the famous sword that, according to legend, got pulled from a stone. Diego himself had come up with the idea of going as a pirate. Including eyepatch, bicorne and all. Diego hoped, by covering only one eye and leaving the rest of his face exposed, to have taken sufficient precautions to hide the fact he wore a mask more often than he liked. It was a subtle way to protect his alter ego and still able to use his distinctive garments afterwards.
Felipe heard don Alejandro's voice complaining about Diego as he made gestures to urge Felipe to hurry. Felipe grabbed the crown and firmly placed it on his head. He felt a mixture of excitement for the ball and concern, fervently hoping that behind the fireplace, Zorro was, at that very moment, transforming into a fearsome pirate.
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