Valentina cannot forgive Marius for refusing to give Luzia the horse. After Valentina and Marius fail to escape through the woods and are found by the king’s men, Valentina is taken back to Madrid and thrown into the women’s cells of the city prison. The filth and despair terrify her so deeply that she vomits and breaks down, and she realizes the imprisonment is meant to frighten her into compliance.

Valentina is brought to the vicar’s offices, offered wine and a comfortable chair, and warned that lying will get her sent to the Toledo tribunal. Shaken, Valentina answers extensive questions about Antonio Pérez—his movements, his library, and his ties to Teoda Halcón—though Valentina has little useful information. The vicar then focuses on Luzia: Valentina insists Luzia is a quiet, humble scullion and denies hearing any heresy, trying to protect Luzia by making her seem harmless.

Instead of releasing Valentina, the authorities place her in a convent under lock and key. For six days, Valentina is marched through the prison to repeated interrogations; any inconsistency is read back to her and dissected until she begins to doubt her own memories. Exhausted, Valentina finally blurts out that Marius is a coward with no political convictions—loyal to the king because it is easy—and lacks the ambition for conspiracy.

That night Valentina is allowed to return to Calle de Dos Santos with a warning to be mindful of her company. Alone in the house, she eats what she can and sleeps in dirty clothes, then sends for Águeda and arranges help to restore some order. Even as the household resumes, Valentina waits for further punishment: arrest, banishment, or seizure.

When Valentina unexpectedly finds Marius at home, he says it is over and reveals that Luzia has been turned over to the Inquisition in Toledo. Valentina insists they should go to advocate for Luzia, but Marius argues they must stay away to protect themselves. Their argument escalates—Valentina accuses Marius of cowardice and says she would rather be a fool than abandon Luzia—until Valentina dismisses him and sharply threatens that she could have told the vicar incriminating details about him. Unable to sleep, Valentina goes to find Águeda.