I shall play the role as I was instructed, and gain approval by acting properly and modestly.

Certainly the safest choice. You dress in a becoming, but modest, outfit, and walk down to the Great Hall with your uncle and aunt.

You sit at a table in the Great Hall with the other young ladies- and gentlemen-in-waiting (most of whose names you don't yet know) and enjoy a most delicious meal. Between courses, you look around.

At the high table sit Queen Agustina and her consort, Esteban. The King Consort is a Life Mage, from the formidable Family de Aguilar.

At the Queen's other side sits Luis de Vega, foremost advisor of the Court.

At the King Consort's other side sits Princess Juanita, the only living child of the Queen and her King Consort. Unfortunately for all, she is a Death Mage like the Queen, and therefore cannot inherit the throne.

But you notice that the eyes of both the Queen and the King Consort go often to a lower table, where sits a small boy whose resemblance to the Queen is unmistakable. This must be Tomás de Reyes, whom you have learned is the Queen's illegitimate Life Mage child. His illegitimacy makes it difficult for him to inherit, but it is noteworthy that the Queen sent for him to live at Court after the stillbirth of the most recent royal child. Between a Death Mage daughter and an illegitimate Life Mage son, the succession is a thorny issue.

The Queen sends a dish down to Tomás de Reyes' table, and the King Consort's lips tighten a little.

At last, the final course is cleared, and it is time to change for the performance. As you leave the Great Hall with the other young ladies- and gentlemen-in-waiting, you see de Vega making a big production of seeking the Queen's attention. "Your pardon, Your Majesty, but there is a matter of some urgency…"

The Queen rises. All of the ladies- and gentlemen-in-waiting stop. The Queen waves a hand. "Go on with the performance, for the entertainment of the King Consort and the Court. We will return when we are able."

The King Consort's smile seems somewhat fixed.

You don your mask and take your place at the top of the tower, standing with your hands folded in front of you and your eyes cast modestly downward.

Perseverance and her companions enter. Perseverance is so obviously the Queen, you cannot see how anyone could ever pretend to be fooled. The Queen, as Perseverance, uses a light wooden practice sword to "vanquish" Sloth and Gluttony. She strikes actual blows, rather than merely touching her opponents; but at least the blows don't seem to be very hard. They probably only sting.

She switches to magic to fight Greed and Wrath (using the wand presented to her by Fortitude), and likewise, casts very small lightning bolts that seem to only sting.

None of her opponents even touch her with weapons or magic; they only feint in the air around her. Those playing aides rather than opponents lavish far more attention upon her than upon Perseverance's companions. You cannot help but wonder if the Queen is really vain enough to believe they do not know who she is.

At last, the Queen vanquishes the final obstacle (Pride) and looks up at you. You stretch out your hand beseechingly, as you have been instructed.

When de Mendosa was playing this part, she only handed you down from the tower. But the Queen surprises you by reaching up, grasping you under the arms, and swinging you down beside her.

And then she whips off her mask in a grand gesture.