Father Núñez convinces Juana Inés to become a nun, but she quickly realizes that convent life is far from ideal and eventually falls gravely ill.

The viceroy and his family are ordered to return to Spain, and Vicereine Leonor is utterly devastated to leave Juana Inés.

A nun's intimate secret is revealed and the new archbishop reacts harshly. Meanwhile, Juana Inés is surprised by her feelings for the new vicereine.