Dulce Maria is a sweet, 5-year-old girl full of joy, compassion, and good feelings. After the death of her mother, Luciano Larios (Dulce Maria's father) sinks into depression and lives abroad for a few years, leaving his daughter and loved ones behind. Dulce Maria enrolls in a Catholicboarding school for girls called "Reina de America" (Queen of America) to be taken care of by the nuns, as well as being taken care of by her uncle Gabriel, who is a priest.
The only relative that visits her is her Aunt Estefania, whom she affectionately called "Tia Pelucas" (Auntie Wigs) because she wears a large and varied set of colorful wigs, instead of showing her real hair. The nuns, for the most part, worship and love Dulce María, in particular the Sisters Cecilia and Fortunata, who are her accomplices in all her funny antics that are also allowed by the tender and kindly Mother Superior, the headmistress, who is always aware of the responsibility and discipline that must be met; while showing concern and great heart for the welfare of all those around her.
Dulce Maria also has a secret place in the school known as "The old little room." There, her playful imagination comes to life, where she speaks with her mother Angelica, who dispenses advice to her and tells her wonderful stories. Things brighten up for Dulce Maria when after a two-year absence, Luciano announces his return to Mexico. But the initial joy fades when her dad arrives with Nicole, a domineering and self-centered woman who is also Luciano's fiancée. Her only reason for being with Luciano is for his money and she sees Dulce Maria as a mere nuisance.
Her plan is to get Luciano's daughter out of her way so she can have him all to herself. Sensing that her father will not be happy being married to Nicole, and not wanting to lose her father's affection, Dulce Maria sets out to end the relationship and make her father notice Sister Cecilia, who is more of a mother figure than Nicole.
Luciano slowly realizes that he does not love Nicole, while at the same time, feels a growing attraction to Cecilia. She, in turn, realizes that her religious vocation begins to waver once she realizes that she is in love with Luciano and must decide whether to take her religious vows or give them up and listen to her heart.
