TCMGF 55

Chapter 55

The long-awaited vacation season had finally begun.

Vetra, which had been the topic of the hottest rumors and news over the past few months, was chosen as the best place to spend the summer this year.

Ladies of high society packed their luggage and hurried there in a single bound. Including the nannies, servants, and maids who followed them, the influx of people into Vetra was enormous.

“Welcome to the beautiful city of water.”

A boatman rowed toward them in a charming little boat. It was the moment when the tourists waiting at the pier brimmed with excitement.

Although it was possible to enter Vetra by carriage, most people gathered at the pier for the special experience.

“Look at that! The boatman’s outfit is unusual, isn’t it?”
“I don’t remember it being like that last year. This year, he’s wearing striped clothes.”
“I’ve never seen a design like that before.”

The boat, carrying spectators who comfortably laughed and chatted while taking in the new sights, crossed the wide canal. Tourists admired the picturesque scenery of the city, passing between buildings, past canal-side restaurants, and through the squares.

While noble couples took out their travel guides to plan their itinerary, the servants at the back of the boat, who were looking after the children, were extremely busy. Maid Becky was one of those servants.

“Our masters can enjoy themselves to the fullest… I’m jealous…”

Even during vacation season, Becky, who didn’t actually have money to go anywhere, decided to give up on having fun and instead focus on earning some money.

Although she accompanied her masters every year during their summer vacation, even as she fulfilled her duties, she couldn’t help feeling a sense of longing and unfulfilled desire.

A lack of free time? That wasn’t a big problem.
The kind employers usually gave their servants half a day to a full day of free time during vacation, which was enough.

The real problem was the resort itself.

Where would wealthy nobles go?

Luxury streets, toy streets for children, and expensive fancy restaurants. No matter how much nobles cared enough to give free time, for someone like Becky without money, there was nowhere enjoyable near the resort.

The prices at these places were absurdly high.

“I guess I’ll just have to watch while twiddling my thumbs. Seeing things with my eyes only doesn’t help. I can’t eat, and shopping is completely out of the question.”

While Becky, full of regret, was taking care of two adorable little ladies, she was given her mistress’s instructions.

“My companion and I will be going to the social club. Becky, could you take the children to the toy street?”

The toy street in Vetra was famous for the meticulously displayed and sold toys. Just a few days ago, Crown Princess Jovanna had issued a Royal Warrant for the toys sold there.

Thanks to that, the street had become a must-visit spot for nobles with children in just a few days.

Becky took the young ladies toward the dreamlike and magical toy street. She wasn’t particularly interested herself, but as a maid, what fun could she have? She decided to focus entirely on taking care of the children.

But…

“No way.”

Becky was astonished. The toy street was completely different from what she had imagined. She had expected it to be full only of things for children, but this place had the most attractions she had ever seen at any resort she had visited!

Large hot-air balloon experiences, tiny decorative dolls, toy soldiers and ballerina dolls she had wanted as a child. Everything she saw stirred the childlike wonder in adults.

“Toys aren’t just for children.”

Becky realized this, but there was no time to browse. She had to follow the young ladies wherever they went.

“Hello!”
“Oh my, how cute!”

Yet again, things didn’t go as expected. The toy vendors skillfully drew the children’s attention and began entertaining them.

“Becky! I want to play over there!”
“Little lady, would you like to see the ball games here?”
“I want to go over there!”

The two young ladies split up in opposite directions. The vendors, noticing Becky’s flustered state, reassured her and led the children to a single spot to play. It was right in front of the fountain, where Becky could easily watch them.

The young ladies laughed merrily as they played with the toy vendors at the fountain. Seeing their innocent delight, Becky couldn’t help but smile.

“Tiring, isn’t it?”
“Huh? Yes?”

At that moment, one of the vendors spoke to Becky.

“My daughter also works as a private tutor, so I know how it is. You never get a break, and taking care of children is exhausting. Childcare is our specialty, so at least take a moment to rest.”

Becky never expected such words from a stranger in a city she was visiting for the first time. The frustration and longing she had endured alone welled up, and tears fell from her eyes. The vendors handed her a handkerchief and patted the back of Becky, who had just turned twenty.

“The apprentices and guardians of Vetra have asked us to help the adults accompanying the children rest as well. So take a moment to breathe.”

The young ladies were completely absorbed in block play and blowing bubbles. Taking advantage of the lull, Becky considered eating something to fill her growling stomach.

“This must be a toy-only zone. If I leave the arcade and go to a slightly less expensive restaurant…”

No. As long as there were children she couldn’t take her eyes off, Becky couldn’t sit down for a proper meal.

Then, Becky noticed something unusual—a small food stall. The main offerings were bite-sized mini sandwiches and Vetra’s famous cicchetti.

Cicchetti were small pieces of bread topped with seafood or other Vetra specialties. There were various types of cicchetti, and she could choose any sauce to put on the lettuce in the mini sandwiches.

“Bite-sized food that won’t get cold or lose flavor even if left for a while.”

Wasn’t this the perfect menu for someone like Becky, who had to eat in a rush? Perhaps, like the vendor had mentioned earlier, this thoughtful arrangement was planned by the apprentices and guardians.

“How could someone think of all this?”

She became curious about the noble couple she had never met. If Becky’s guess was correct…

“The person who came up with this idea must be incredibly meticulous.”

Becky, keeping the young ladies within her sight, selected some delicious and reasonably priced cicchetti and enjoyed a brief respite. This was the first time she had actually been satisfied on a trip she had accompanied her employers on.

Like Becky, many visitors had strange but wonderful experiences throughout the city.

Newlywed tourists trying to quickly leave the streets were stopped in their tracks by the menu prices at a restaurant in the arcade.

“Huh? Why are the prices here reasonable?”

The restaurant looked high-class on the outside, but the cost of the food was not expensive at all.

“This must be a lie. It can’t be real.”

Perhaps it was just a bait menu?

Skeptically entering the restaurant, they realized the menu outside was genuine. The newlyweds, recently married and full of love, enjoyed a romantic and high-class meal at a reasonable price in the arcade. Feeling happy, they even ordered a variety of dishes.

“Then we’ll take this one, and this one, and also this one.”

It had been ages since they had a satisfying meal at a resort. Their impression of the city of Vetra naturally improved.

“Let’s come back here for our first wedding anniversary.”
“Shall we bring the kids then?”

The wife shyly smiled at her husband’s teasing remark, her eyes sparkling. Their hearts burned like the hot summer air.

“Look over there. Aren’t the kids at the next table cute?”

The parents of the children at the next table were equally taken aback by the attention from the newlyweds.