Chapter 14
Diego couldn't believe his ears when Felipe returned from the pueblo. Apparently, Victoria had sought the help of a matchmaker to find a husband. She had said that seeing eleven Zorros had made her realize that she was only impressed by the mask, and that the man behind it didn't matter. He felt defeated. Diego genuinely believed that Victoria had feelings of affection for Zorro. When she openly revealed that it had all been a mere facade, his heart crumbled into pieces.
Felipe informed him that Victoria had received six marriage proposals so far. She had immediately rejected four of them. And rumour had it she was willing to consider the other two.
At twilight, Zorro rode to the tavern in the pueblo. He hid on the first floor and patiently waited until the last guests left and Victoria closed the tavern. Zorro, a bit awkward, climbed over the railing. He wasn't fully recovered yet. Silently, he descended to the kitchen floor. He didn't have to wait long before the curtain fluttered, and Victoria walked into the kitchen, her arms full of dishes from the main room.
As soon as she saw him, Victoria paled and began to stutter. "Zorro..."
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The following days flew by, but Diego still couldn't grasp what Victoria had said that evening in the tavern. She expressed her joy that he was in good health. Then, hesitantly, blushing and stammering, Victoria had admitted that she couldn't wait any longer and longed for her own family. She didn't blame Zorro. Victoria even reluctantly confessed that she valued Diego's friendship more than anyone else's. She told him how scared she had been. First, she thought de Soto had arrested the real Zorro. Later, because someone she cared about deeply was fighting for his life. Zorro's mouth almost dropped open in astonishment when Victoria revealed that she thought she had fallen in love with an idealized image and not the actual man. She asked for forgiveness for her decision and hoped that Zorro could understand that she wanted to move on with her life and no longer wait for something that could never be.
Victoria left him with no other option but to nod and agree when she was sure of what she wanted. He told her he was willing to take a step back. After all, her happiness was more important to him. It was Zorro who had suggested ages ago that she should marry a man like Diego. So who was he to try to convince her of something else?
The next day, Diego went to the tavern and proposed to Victoria. And she accepted.
It felt both liberating, as his dreams were about to come true, and burdensome, as a heavy weight on his shoulders. Victoria would become his wife. And on their wedding night, he would have to tell her the truth and hope she could ever forgive him for years of lying and deceit.
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