Manfred’s was one of those pairs of ears drawn by the good King Eglio’s groan, and he had to suppress a smirk when the King made excuses for indigestion, knowing both the truth of the matter in regards to both the relief he was now no doubt feeling, and the source of the pain in the first place. Katelyn was playing her part beautifully, and at her suggestion that he might be able to help, he excused himself from the present conversation, leaving his previously captive audience with an air of mystery as he signalled Konrad to fetch the already agreed upon satchel with his various alchemical agents. Moving to the King’s side, he leaned in to speak with his royal highness privately, “I hope it would not be too bold of me to suggest a remedy for your highness’s indigestion? I’m not apothecary, but I have a certain expertise with alchemical reagents, enough to assist on the battlefield certainly. Your majesty is not, from his reputation certainly, opposed to a soldier’s brand of medicine?” His words flowed like gilded silk into the King’s ears, as Katelyn pressed herself against her husband most deliciously, and Manfred could not help but admire her charms briefly for himself.<br/><br/><br/>“Perhaps if you and I excused ourselves your Majesty? Some excuse in regards to affairs of estate could be made, rather than anything pertaining to your highness’s health.” He suggested, glancing briefly at Katelyn, his eyes conveying that she too should insist on accompanying them.<br/><br/><br/>Without waiting for a response he rose, and looked pointedly towards Duke Castello, as though the man had made some egregious implication in sending for the physician. “There is no need to trouble his majesty’s doctor; A simple jaunt away from the heat and stuffiness of the feast will no doubt restore his majesty’s vigor, and it would provide a moment for more private discussion as well . . .”<br/><br/><br/>Konrad had already arrived back at the Count’s side, the colossal man adding all the more weight to bear in Manfred’s meaning, as the personal diplomatic envoy of the Reikmarches, made obeisance in assisting the King to stand from the feast table himself, in lieu of any servant or even his wife.<br/><br/><br/><hr/><br/>The reason for the physicians tardiness was not presently known to any but Lady Bianka, who was even now slipping from the man’s chambers, giving a wink towards the guard as she adjusted her frock. Her meaning was clear, but the fullness of her deception was cleverly disguised, as the physician lay apparently drunk in his cups, lying sprawled and disheveled over a sofa. Bianka returned to the feast just as Manfred finished regaling the audience, looking perfectly respectable and quite stunning, identifying quickly the stage of the Count’s plan that was at hand, as he and Konrad made their respective moves. A quick scanning of the crowd, and a glance from Otto indicated her next as well, and she was quick to sidle up nearby to the Duke who had called for the physician, ready to console him as might be necessary.