He Don Duardos (1978–1979) by Carmen Martín Gaite is based on the Tragicomedy of Don Duardos (1522?) by Gil Vicente (1465–1536?), who was, in turn, inspired by the Primaleon, A 16th-century chivalric novel. The protagonist, Don Duardos, Prince of England, arrives at the court of Emperor Palmerín to challenge his son Primaleón. Upon seeing his opponent's sister, the Infanta Flérida, Don Duardos falls in love with her and, disguised as a gardener, manages to remain at her side, working as a gardener in the royal orchard until he manages to win her over without revealing his true identity. Thanks to the advice and magical powers of Olimba, a protective magician, Don Duardos wins the love of the Infanta, even overcoming the apparent social barriers that exist between them. Flérida, for her part, has the courage to leave her kingdom to embark with the hero on a journey into the unknown.

Although the work revolves around the adventures of Don Duardos In order to win Flérida's love, Olimba emerges as the "second protagonist." This is how Martín Gaite intended to recreate her. She is the one who truly pulls the strings of the plot. Although she is in love with Don Duardos, she renounces love in order to fulfill her mission as the protagonist's muse and protector with integrity. Olimba finds happiness in helping and advising Don Duardos, revealing herself as an independent heroine capable of eclipsing the hero's qualities with her wisdom, maturity, and moral strength.