How would Luzia's life have been different if she'd refused Valentina's demand to perform for guests?

Valentina presents Luzia to her guests, expecting her to perform her “milagritos” for them. She’s reluctant at first but then complies. Do you think she had any other option here? How do you think her life would have been different if she’d refused?

Well she would not have ended up where she did, and we wouldn't have had such a lovely story to read. Perhaps she would have escaped at some point but I don't see her being very successful or happy

I think she would have stayed in her horrible situation. It was almost as if she stumbled on showing her powers, which in retrospect totally changed her life.

I think Valentina would have been so embarrassed and angry she likely would have thrown Luzia out, so Luzia's situation might have ended up being even worse than it was.

I guess we will never know, unless the author chose to delve further into her gifts outside of the preparation for and participation in the competition, which she really didn't.

I do not think Luzia had an option. She needed to do what Valentina
asked of her if she wanted to keep her employment, as bad as that was.

I also think Luzia would have been thrown out and no place to go with no money. Her aunt didn’t want her so I think at that time and place in her life she had to do what Valentina asked of her.

I agree with kimk and jillg-Valentina would likely have dismissed Luzia and her qualit of life would have sunk even lower. Of course, as beth wrote then this book would not have been the same or as interesting. And Luzia wanted a better life so she would always have opted to take the risks that went hand in hand with performing.

I think Luzia’s life would have continued to follow the same pattern if she had not agreed to perform for the dinner guests. She would have continued to perform her small tricks such as boiling water faster, multiplying the eggs and replacing the burnt bread in secret because of everyone’s fear of witch craft and the inquisition. She probably would have gotten more skilled at her magic but would have still been stuck in the kitchen.

Valentina would have been so embarrassed in front of her husband and guests that I think she would have thrown her out and Luzia would probably asked her aunt to let her work for her. But Luzia's empathy for Valentina, and maybe even stronger desire to explore her talents were never going to let her refuse.

Luzia’s circumstances likely would never have improved and there was a good chance they could have become even worse. She was in survival mode and they would not have lasted forever.

It would have been a different story for sure if she had turned Valentina down, but although her circumstances would have seemed bleak had she then been dismissed, would it have eventually gotten better as she did have enough knowledge of her powers to improve her situation?? Alas, We will never know now. I quite enjoyed the ending as it is!

I don’t think she had an option. I think Valentina would have replaced her with someone new. Her performances are what propelled her life in a new direction. She had some new comforts like sleeping in a bed and getting some new clothes. She was able to venture out from her limited environment and meet new people. She did not have to hide the fact that she could read and was intelligent.