Were the servants being deceitful? I thought Jaquez, Diego, and Bianca were being dense and were telling their stories and answering questions from a limited point of view but I do think they were very amusing and we receive much information from them even if it is not always reliable. I agree that it is particularly amusing that Bianca, I thought, unwittingly, exposed Manfred to Frederic after he bribed her with a jewel. :D These three did seem very familiar when speaking with Manfred, often asking questions or expressing opinions in a very un-servant like manner so perhaps that does show less than a fear of Manfred. Bianca also seemed overly familiar with Isabella and Matilda but it did not seem as out of place with the princesses as it was with Manfred. :D