Valeria of Montferrat

Bellarion

Bellarion is deeply in love with Valeria, and their relationship is marked by romantic tension and devotion.

Theodore of Montferrat

Theodore and Valeria are siblings, with a close familial bond and shared concerns for their house.

Facino Cane

Facino Cane and Valeria interact as political figures, with Facino respecting her intelligence and position.

Bellarion

Bellarion is deeply in love with Valeria, and their relationship is marked by romantic tension and devotion.

Bellarion

Bellarion is deeply in love with Valeria, and their relationship is marked by romantic tension and devotion.

Theodore of Montferrat

Theodore and Valeria are siblings, with a close familial bond and shared concerns for their house.

Facino Cane

Facino Cane and Valeria interact as political figures, with Facino respecting her intelligence and position.

Theodore of Montferrat

Theodore and Valeria are siblings, with a close familial bond and shared concerns for their house.

Facino Cane

Facino Cane and Valeria interact as political figures, with Facino respecting her intelligence and position.

Book I

Princess of Montferrat; central figure in the conspiracy, as the Regent's daughter.

I: The Threshold

The Princess Valeria, whose phrase 'Half god, half beast' is used to describe Bellarion and humanity.

IV: Sanctuary

The princess who discovers Bellarion, hides him, and cleverly misleads the pursuing soldiers, showing her mental calm and calculating wit.

V: The Princess

Mistakes Bellarion for a messenger; after learning the truth, she provides him with dry clothes and decides to trust him, revealing her secret political activities.

VI: The Winds of Fate

Described as the heart of the movement to overthrow Theodore; her courage and high-mindedness are noted, though her enterprise is seen as perilous.

Service

Receives Bellarion's report and reluctantly accepts his help.

X: The Warning

Confronts Bellarion on the terrace, torn between belief and fear of betrayal.

The Trial

The Princess watches from the gallery, troubled and angry, believing Bellarion to be a spy and murderer sent by her uncle.

XIV: Evasion

Mentioned in Bellarion's thoughts; she correctly deduces Theodore's role in the escape and reflects on her earlier prophecy.

IX: De Mortuis

Arrives in Milan with her uncle and nephew; learns of Bellarion's heroic death and the 'Miracle of the Dogs' from Duke Gian Maria.

X: The Knight Bellarion

Confronts Bellarion, expressing that she mourned him and reproaching his cold demeanor.

XVII: The Return

The Princess is initially pallid and listless, but her eyes blaze with scorn upon seeing Bellarion. She sarcastically challenges him about his tactics and wealth, but is defeated by his shameless retorts.

XVIII: The Hostage

Confronts Bellarion in the garden, torn between distrust and a desperate hope to believe his plan to protect her brother.

Book III

The princess whose beauty and political machinations draw Bellarion into a dangerous game.

III: Facino's Return

Leaves Casale with the Countess of Biandrate to rejoin her brother Theodore and escape her uncle's power.

IV: The Count of Pavia

Maintains a bitter prejudice against Bellarion, accusing him of guile and ambition, and avoids his company.

VII: Prince of Valsassina

Princess of Montferrat; Bellarion secretly arranges for her to be summoned to petition for Gian Giacomo's rule.

VIII: Carmagnola's Bridges

Supports Carmagnola's bridge plan, suspects Bellarion's loyalty, and is drawn to Carmagnola's heroic self-portrayal.

IX: Vercelli

Supports Carmagnola's plan; is caught in an embrace with Carmagnola; prays for his success.

X: The Arrest

Present during the accusation and arrest, initially silent.

XI: The Pledge

Pleads for Bellarion's life, doubts his guilt, and ultimately pledges herself to Carmagnola if he defeats Theodore.

XII: Carmagnola's Duty

Learns of Spigno's treachery; questions the messenger; begins to trust Bellarion again.

XIII: The Occupation of Casale

Arrives in Casale with her brother, is moved to tears by Bellarion's letter, and apologizes for her past mistrust.

XV: The Last Fight

Tends to Bellarion's wounds and reveals that her past hatred was dissembled love, wearing his colors as a sign of her true feelings.