The diplomatic party of Reikmar was paying the expected respects around the room when the King and Queen entered, and did their part to gasp and oooh, and awe with the rest of them, though a few sets of eyes made use of the fixation upon the royal party’s entrance towards other ends than simple admiration. Manfred’s bodyguard Konrad gave his liege a quick elbow in the ribs, a sign of respect amongst brothers-in-arms if not the most respectful gesture between lord and vassal. Otto had the most watchful eyes in the room and quickly took stock of nearly everyone of importance reaction to the Queen’s appearance (not without a healthy sense of object appreciation himself), but finally settled on the Prince, confirming what he and his master already suspected. A quick glance towards Manfred confirmed the spymaster's own personal suspicions, though far less deviously minded on his part, and far more so for the chief diplomatic envoy of the Protectorate. For Manfred was staring in awed appreciation her royal majesty’s exultant beauty, his chiseled features conveying nothing but polite awe and respect, even as his eyes burned with a thousand thoughts for what Katelyn’s attired signified and promised.<br/><br/><br/>He knew now that she would be in full compliance with his plans, and that he need only make known to her (subtly of course) what must be done and she would do it. The temptation to have her begin here and now in front of everybody was great, but always Manfred remembered the long term goals of his machinations, and his actions now were every bit as important to their fulfillment. Besides, Kat would expect nothing but the best, or else she would never have responded so pleasingly to him in the first place since their brief reunion, and he would hate to disappoint the only woman he had ever known with ambition rivaling his own.<br/><br/><br/>Stepping forward, he made a brief approach towards the King and Queen, then turned on the crowd and raised his goblet. “Long live the King and Queen of Miragliano!” He cried out as Eglio and his bride took their place at the head of the feast, Gilberto still staring agog at Katelyn, right up until the resounding cheer was taken up by the rest of the hall, and the feast begun in earnest.<br/><br/><br/><hr/><br/><br/>Manfred’s position at the feast table was to the immediate right of Gilberto, the Prince, who himself was seated to the King’s right, with Eglio separating both his son, and the envoy, from Katelyn, who was flanked on the other side of the table by the Duchess von Reinholdt, the highest ranking lady of the Reikmarches’ diplomatic party. Even from this position, it was no difficulty in making out the Queen’s luscious figure, despite the King’s girth and the Prince’s frequently wandering eyes and craning of the neck, and Manfred made it a point to spend the first portion of the feast, following the opening course, mingling throughout the crowds, the better to make his presence known throughout the hall so that Katelyn might not transfix the entirety of the assembled host with her beauty.<br/><br/><br/>Besides, he had groundwork to lay, and the King was certainly enjoying his wine thus far, and so he signalled Otto to cue the onset of the Reikmarche’s gift, the dish they had brought with them, just before returning to his place at the table. “I wonder, your majesty, if Kat has had the opportunity to share with you any other Reikmar delicacies?” He asked, deferentially, as he poured himself and the rest of the table from a flagon of wine, slipping the concealed packet of additional spices into the King’s goblet. “Or you Prince Gilberto? I realize to the refined palettes of Marigliano smoked meats might otherwise be considered the faire of peasants, but in the Protectorate, any man worth his measure will have be sure his wife makes a meal of them.” He said, as the servers brought forward trays of sausages and bratwurst, spiced and smoked and steaming.<br/><br/>Manfred could not resist the urge to wink, most surreptitiously, as he saw to it that Katelyn was served a Queen’s portion of the rather suggestive delicacy.