TCMGF 56

Chapter 56

They weren’t nobles, but a merchant couple with plenty of savings, visiting Vetra City to keep up with trends.

Traveling a long distance with a child wasn’t an easy task, so they had steeled themselves…

“Wahaha!”

They hadn’t expected the restaurant to have a resting area and a small playroom for children!

Upon seeing the cushions stuffed for roughhousing and other tactile toys, the child had no intention of leaving the playroom.

Even other children joined in, and the child happily played with the new friends they had made.

“We have nothing to do.”
“The nanny just sits outside the playroom and watches.”
“How long has it been since we’ve had this kind of peace?”

The food went down smoothly. The satisfaction with Vetra City had quickly risen to the highest level.

Tourists outside the arcade were captivated by the city’s beauty.

On the street by the canal, the sound of an accordion played by a musician floated through the air.

In this lively, romantic city with sparkling waters and passing boats, people opened their wallets as their moods lifted.

“Uh, uh, there!”
“What’s all the fuss?”
“That’s the Duke and Duchess of Vetra!”
“What?!”

The crowd murmured, startled by the sudden spectacle.

Sitting at an outdoor table with a view of the canal, dining together so harmoniously, there was no mistaking them—the Duke and Duchess of Vetra.

“When they appeared with Millini for that lavender glittering dress showcase, I got a good look at their faces!”

Seeing them leisurely enjoy a meal in the city they governed felt like a painting in real life, sparking envy.

The men, watching in awe, glanced at the Duke, thinking of their own wives.

‘I wish I could feel that same atmosphere and gravitas with my wife.’

The Duke wore a white suit difficult for anyone to pull off, paired with a bowler hat and a striped tie.

‘…Striped?’

Come to think of it, the Duchess’s dress was also striped from head to toe.

The pattern was unusual, but perhaps because of her dignified appearance and radiant smile, it looked like a privilege.

The unique style of the upper class stirred desire in the onlookers.

“Uncle, Aunt.”

Just then, a child slipped between the beautiful couple. With hands in pockets, the child approached them.

“Y-You’re Michele Vetra! Gabriel Vetra’s son!”
“Now that I look closely, it really is him.”

The crowd buzzed. It was the presumed heir Viola Vetra, and probably the true heir Michele Vetra, appearing consecutively.

“I thought the succession issue would make them awkward, but they seem surprisingly close.”
“They’ll handle the succession on their own.”

Whether Viola or Michele inherited, the onlookers could merely enjoy observing the drama.

Thus, their mischievous curiosity soon turned into genuine appreciation.

“They really do look like a family together.”
“Because their clothes match, they look like a family deliberately out for an outing.”

While exchanging opinions and laughing heartily, the striped pattern quietly etched itself into their minds.

A few days later, wandering through Vetra’s largest commercial district, they would spot the pattern in a display at Vivian Wharton’s promotional store…

They wouldn’t be able to walk past without stopping.

“What are you thinking so seriously about?”
“I was calculating how well Vetra will perform this year.”
“Aunt, the line in front of Vivian Wharton’s store already stretches out past the arcade.”

Ezekiel and Michele wore clothing with colors matching their striped ties and handkerchiefs. At a glance, it even seemed like a father-son duo.

I wore a striped dress in similar colors, giving a subtle sense of unity while remaining distinct.

My strategy of using the entire city as a promotional stage was in full swing.

“When you said you wanted to create something enjoyable for the servants, I felt like my head was hit.”
“Servants are people too, it’d be a shame if they couldn’t enjoy it.”
“I only planned strategies for the nobles since they’re the main consumers.”

Ezekiel shook his head, admitting his narrow-mindedness. I tried to modestly deny it, but didn’t want him to feel embarrassed, so I shamelessly accepted the compliment with a smile.

“But I also found it fascinating how you consider parents with children. You’ve never raised a child yourself.”
“I haven’t, but I heard from Anna, who has experience.”

Anna, who had many younger siblings and ample experience as a nanny, had accumulated not only knowledge but also her share of hardships.

“Things like children making meals inconvenient, or having nothing to do even at fancy places due to costs, were her opinions.”
“So that’s why you opened mid-range restaurants and food stalls.”
“If it’s the same resort, targeting families gives you a competitive edge.”

Michele clicked his tongue.

“Aunt, you really have a talent for thinking this way.”
“It’s not an easy idea for someone raised in noble education.”

Of course, the preparation was not just about food and drink.

“Don’t forget. I also set up a semi-luxury shopping street next to the restaurant.”

After spending a leisurely afternoon at the café, we slowly strolled through the streets, inspecting the semi-luxury street I had crafted.

“It’s beautiful,” Ezekiel murmured. Despite lacking high-end brand names, the quality and design were impressive.

‘Real nobles won’t skimp on money, so the high-end street targets them, while mid-range semi-luxury targets everyone else.’

This street was aimed at servants following wealthy nobles, the newly rich, and ordinary people from other territories.

“They’re relatively rational consumers.”

Satisfy their shopping desires, and profits double.

“You really squeeze money out with your tailored strategies. I’m sometimes amazed at your thinking.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”

We both chuckled, seeing the bustling semi-luxury street. Watching money roll in was genuinely satisfying, and after earning so much, it was our turn to rest.

The Duke’s kitchen.

Today, unusually, it was bustling.

“You have to endure it when you sell cicchetti right next to the tavern you see every turn.”
“We’re making them ourselves and enjoying them with aperitifs!”

The staff were thrilled by the city’s changed atmosphere compared to last year.

The household couldn’t remain idle when the city was buzzing.

First, Michele caught the excitement and declared he wanted to make cicchetti himself. Ezekiel and I joined him.

“Great! Today is a cicchetti party!”
“We prepared ingredients for the young master and lady!”
“These are ingredients for His Grace the Duke.”

I carefully placed roasted fish, vegetables, and raw salmon on small bread pieces. Michele topped his with tomatoes, eggplant, and mozzarella, while Ezekiel decorated crispy bread with cod and cream.

“Shall we make one for Alfredo too? Don’t you want to try cicchetti made to your taste?”
“Hehe, I’ll make one as well.”

We freely selected ingredients, placed them on bread, and opened the aperitif chosen by Butler Alfredo.

While sitting together making food, we felt like one big happy family.

The staff checked the upcoming festival and competition schedules in August.

“Tomorrow there’s a rowing competition on the canal leading to the eastern sea.”
“Our uniforms have stripes, right?”
“If the handsome rowers wear them, it’ll surely make headlines.”

Yesterday at Valentina’s Tea House, the ladies had been buzzing about it. Tickets were already sold out, and some tried to enter through acquaintances.

“Shall we try them now?”

Holding a small cicchetti in one hand and an aperitif in the other:

“To Vetra! Cheers!”
“Cheers!”

The combination of crispy bread and fresh seafood was heavenly. We sipped white wine, enjoying the lively atmosphere.

Looking at all the food, I wanted the salmon cicchetti on Ezekiel’s side, so I asked him.

“Could you give me that salmon? Ah, yes, that one.”

He picked up the cicchetti I had chosen. I reached to take it…

“Here. Ah—”

Was he about to feed me himself?!

I closed my mouth like a clam and glanced around. The staff were absorbed in conversation and paid no attention.

‘Should I eat it or not?’