Chapter 2

Victoria walked outside with Diego and Felipe, where Felipe was already setting up a table. Diego checked if the table was level and gestured for Felipe to bring a chair and place it against the wall. While Diego stood next to the table, Felipe initially placed the chair in a spot Diego shook his head at, then pointed to another location in the garden. This ritual repeated several times before Diego nodded in satisfaction and said, "Yes, I think this will do." He glanced around in confusion, only then realizing that Victoria was still waiting. He pointed to a chair and said, "Victoria, please take a seat, facing this way."

Victoria did as she was instructed while Felipe approached with an easel, and Diego secured a piece of parchment to it.

"Victoria, please sit as comfortably as you can and face me," Diego kindly instructed her. He picked up a piece of charcoal and began drawing lines on the paper, looking at her through the easel. "How's everything in the pueblo? Has anything special happened?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Victoria was surprised by the question. Diego was not known as a gossiper or someone caring for things occurring in the pueblo. And she had believed she had to sit still for hours. "Am I allowed to talk? I thought you had to remain completely still while posing."

"That comes later. What I am doing is just an initial rough sketch. Right now, I want to see different facial expressions and body postures to determine the composition. So, do as you wish. Talk, laugh, move. I'll guide you when I want something specific," Diego explained as he continued to draw with concentration.

Felipe arrived with glasses of refreshments, placing one on the table next to Diego and the other on the table beside Victoria. Don Alejandro also joined them, briefly examining what Diego had drawn.

"Diego, this is looking nice. If I received this drawing, I'd be pleased with it. Nevertheless, I think it's better..., Victoria, could you let your hair down?"

"Father," annoyed Diego sighed.

"Diego, I know your preference would be different. But when Zorro is like most men, as I assume, he probably prefers to see a woman with her hair down," Don Alejandro remarked.

It was something Victoria had never considered before. She had no idea how Zorro preferred to see her. What would be his favourite colour? Lacking better information, she took don Alejandro's words as truth and obediently untied the ribbon that held her hair, allowing her curls to cascade over her shoulders. Don Alejandro's words made her realize that Diego, indeed, had nothing in common with Zorro.

"See, Diego?" the older man nodded approvingly. "Much better. Now, make a new sketch," Alejandro pointed to one of the smaller drawings Diego had made. "Make this one again, but with her hair down. Victoria, angle your left shoulder forward a bit."

Diego sighed with slight irritation. "Father, these are just sketches, initial impressions. Victoria can decide later which one she wants to use as the basis for her portrait."

"Yes, yes, I understand. But I might be allowed to have an opinion. At the very least, I know what I, as a man, find pleasing to look at," mumbled don Alejandro.

Victoria laughed at Diego's facial expression, a mix of indignation and annoyance. To let Diego know she truly appreciated the effort he was making for her, she said, "Diego, I really appreciate how much trouble you're willing to go through for me."

Diego's mouth curved into a smile.

Again, it was Don Alejandro who responded on behalf of his son. "Of course he will. And it's not like he has anything more useful to do. You'd think he'd have read all the books in the library at least three times." Alejandro leaned against the nearby wall and examined the work once more. "Hmm, no, that doesn't look like Victoria."

Diego rolled his eyes and sighed softly before saying, "I'm making these sketches to determine the proportions better. It is not meant to resemble anything."

"No need to be so rude," Alejandro responded somewhat peevishly. "I won't interfere any more. You carry on with your masterpiece. I need to ask Manuel about Dulcinea." Alejandro leaned over to apologize and walked briskly in the direction of the stables.

"Can I see what you've done so far?" Victoria was burning with curiosity.

Diego stepped aside and reached for a drink to take a sip. "Of course."

.

An hour later, Victoria stood next to Diego and examined the four sheets of sketches. "Wow, I'm impressed."

Unintentionally, Diego swelled with pride. "Yes, I'm quite pleased as well. Have you thought about the colour of the dress you want and what kind of background you prefer? I need to know to prepare the paint colours."

Victoria looked at Diego, a bit startled. "I haven't thought about that at all. I think I'll wear my finest dress, the purple one."

Diego nodded. "In that case, I'll need red ochre and indigo. Red ochre shouldn't be a problem, but I'll have to check if I have enough indigo. It might be a bit challenging. I could try to make Prussian blue."

Victoria looked at him inquiringly. "If it's too much trouble, I can wear a different dress."

Diego gave her a reassuring nod. "It will work out. I just need to check my notes. About the background. Have you thought about that?"

Victoria bit her lip. She hadn't thought about it at all.

Diego noticed from Victoria's reaction that she had no idea about the background. "May I make a suggestion?"

Victoria nodded calmly.

"If I remember correctly, your good dress is the lilac one with black accents?" Victoria slowly nodded again, somewhat surprised by Diego's keen eye for detail and memory. "Since the dress is a pastel shade, I would recommend a background that isn't too vibrant. It would be distracting. What do you think of, a deep green shade with perhaps white or soft yellow flowers as accents?"

Victoria did her best to visualize the final result. It was challenging, but she trusted Diego's judgment in achieving the best outcome. "Um, yes, that sounds good."

"Then I'll proceed with that idea. Should you change your mind, just let me know."

Meanwhile, Diego had packed up his drawing materials. "It's been a productive day. Besides, the light is beginning to fade. When should we meet again? I'll need at least a few days to prepare the black and lead white paints and gather other ingredients. How about Sunday afternoon? Just be aware that my father will insist on you staying for dinner." He warned her.

Sunday afternoon was the only day the tavern was closed, so it was Victoria's only free day.

"Sunday is fine by me. Then..., I'll be going. Don Diego?" Victoria spontaneously placed her hand on his forearm, sending a tingling sensation through his body. "Thank you."

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