Don Félix’s Changing Attachments

This thread follows Don Félix from his courtship of Felismena through his infatuation with Celia, disappearance, and eventual return to Felismena.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Courtship of Felismena

Courtship of Felismena A secret relationship Don Félix courts Felismena in Soldina through letters, music, and public displays of affection. Their connection develops until she trusts him with her feelings. Love under family pressure His father’s intervention sends him away before the couple can secure a shared future. The separation exposes how little control their attachment has over household authority.

Celia’s Place at Court

Celia’s Place at Court A new infatuation At court Don Félix becomes devoted to Celia, telling Valerio that he has left his earlier love behind. He treats absence as the reason his feelings have changed. Felismena’s concealed pain The page listening to him is Felismena herself. Her hidden identity makes his new attachment a daily wound she cannot openly confront.

Celia’s Attraction to Valerio

Celia’s Attraction to Valerio A second attachment forms Celia becomes attracted to Valerio, who is actually Felismena, while believing the page is a young man. Felismena continues to carry Don Félix’s messages to her. Conflicting loyalties Celia’s affection places Felismena in a painful position between empathy for another woman and loyalty to Don Félix. Neither person understands the full identity behind the page’s service.

Celia’s Death and Félix’s Flight

Celia’s Death and Félix’s Flight An abrupt ending Celia dies after concluding that Valerio does not return her feelings. Her death shocks the court and leaves Don Félix grieving. A disappearance without explanation Don Félix vanishes from his home the same night. Felismena loses the person she has been searching for and must resume her journey without knowing where he has gone.

Return to Felismena

Return to Felismena Past actions confronted After Felismena saves him from attacking knights, Don Félix hears the history of her disguise, service, and sacrifice. He recognizes the disparity between her loyalty and his previous inattention. Attachment restored He declares renewed love, and Felismena forgives him. Their reconciliation completes the movement from abandonment and misrecognition to mutual acknowledgment.

before Don Félix is sent to court

after Don Félix arrives at court

during Felismena’s service as Don Félix’s page

the night Celia dies

near the end of the seventh book