Catarina is immersed in a romance novel when she finds out she's been invited to a tea party hosted by Geordo and Alan at the palace. She's determined to find some fellow romance novel fans there to talk to. When she gets there, she meets Sophia, a beautiful girl scorned by others as a "cursed child" due to her unusual looks, and her brother Nicol, whose otherworldly beauty charms men and women alike.

Catarina has completely fallen for Maria's charm, and she advances their friendship by coming to the rescue when some overbearing noble girls have Maria cornered in the school courtyard. Later, when Catarina visits a large farm for some pointers on a day off, she learns that Maria's family's house is close by and decides to pay a quick visit.