Chapter 44 (Hoofdstuk 40): The Third Trial Begins

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Luzia prepares for the third trial, dressing in black velvet and hoping to escape the trap Hualit had offered. The party travels west to a lake called Las Mulas, where a grand pavilion has been erected. King Philip fails to appear; instead, his secretary, Mateo Vázquez de Leca—a rival of Antonio Pérez—arrives. Santángel, recovering from a poison dose administered by don Víctor, warns Luzia that Víctor wants her to win spectacularly to force Vázquez to present her to the king. Santángel confesses that Víctor intends to trap Luzia into an eternal covenant similar to his own, and that the price of the curse’s undoing is whatever his heart values most. He admits he once considered handing Luzia over to earn his freedom, but now he loves her. He suggests she lose the trial in a humiliating way so he can secure her freedom. Luzia, torn, walks toward the contest.

Key Events

Luzia and the De Paredes household ride to Las Mulas, an old hunting ground with a calm lake and a newly built grandstand.
The king is absent; Vázquez de Leca presides, signaling a political shift and a blow to Pérez’s influence.
Santángel appears, having slept off a sleeping draught given by Víctor to prevent him from assisting Luzia.
Víctor threatens Luzia publicly, warning her to perform so impressively that Vázquez must recommend her to the king.
Santángel reveals he cannot father children and that Víctor wants to bind Luzia into an eternal pact to serve his family.
He admits he once planned to trade Luzia to Víctor for his own freedom, but now values her above all.
Luzia refuses to make the pact and briefly entertains killing Víctor, but Santángel explains it is futile.
Santángel proposes that Luzia lose the trial disgracefully; he will then free her.
The trial begins with trumpet calls; Luzia walks alone to the stage.

Character Development

Luzia grows more assertive and introspective. She refuses to be a passive pawn, questions Santángel’s motives, and rejects both the pact and the idea of murder. Her determination to avoid humiliation clashes with her growing trust in Santángel.
Santángel sheds his usual evasiveness. He confesses his love and past selfishness, revealing a vulnerability he has hidden. His suggestion that Luzia lose to gain freedom shows he prioritizes her autonomy over his own desires.
Don Víctor discards all pretense of civility. His desperate threats and willingness to drug Santángel highlight how much he has staked on the outcome and how precarious his position has become.
Valentina remains dazzled by the courtly spectacle, oblivious to the danger—a contrast that emphasizes Luzia’s isolation.
Antonio Pérez appears briefly, his confident facade cracking when Vázquez de Leca arrives, underlining the volatile political undercurrent.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Sacrifice and Bondage: The pact motif is central. Santángel’s curse requires giving up what he loves most; Víctor wants to trap Luzia the same way. The chapter argues that love, freedom, and magical power cannot coexist under a master.
Reflections and Water: Luzia sees her own reflection in the lake—a symbol of self-confrontation. The water’s stillness mirrors her forced calm and the false promise of a peaceful outcome.
Silk and Velvet Over Rotten Wood: The opulent stage built beside a decayed jetty represents the hollow grandeur of the court. Wealth masks the rot beneath, much like Víctor’s schemes.
Controlled Visibility: Luzia has been hidden (the kitchen maid, the “nun”) and now must be spectacular. Santángel’s plan to make her lose flips the demand for fame into a bid for obscurity.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 44 is the emotional and strategic fulcrum of the novel. Santángel finally divulges the full nature of his curse and his love, dismantling the mistrust between him and Luzia. Don Víctor’s mask of control slips, revealing his desperation and the impending collapse of his ambitions. The absence of King Philip and the arrival of Vázquez de Leca inject political unpredictability into what seemed a fixed contest. Luzia’s decision—whether to win or lose, to trust Santángel or strike out alone—will determine not just the trial’s outcome but the fates of everyone she loves.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Luzia initially consider killing don Víctor, and why does Santángel dismiss that option?
She sees murder as a clean end to the threats and the cycle of bargains. Santángel explains that Víctor has survived many assassination attempts and that no ordinary weapon can kill him while the pact holds. The only way to truly end the curse is to remove Santángel himself—a price Luzia is unwilling to pay.

2. What does Santángel’s suggestion to “lose spectacularly” reveal about his character?
It shows that he values Luzia’s freedom over his own salvation. He is willing to give up his chance to break the curse (which requires the thing he values most) if it means Luzia can escape Víctor. It also demonstrates his strategic subtlety: shame can be a better weapon than victory.

3. How does the absence of King Philip change the stakes for Luzia and don Víctor?
Víctor had counted on performing for the king to secure a title. With Vázquez de Leca present, Víctor must still impress, but the audience is a hostile rival of Pérez. The proctor is not easily impressed and may have his own agenda. Luzia’s performance must be so extraordinary that Vázquez is forced to elevate her despite political complications.