The servants were all charmed by how polite and respectful the mermaid was and were eager to help such a nice creature. They all insisted that it was no problem at all to build the stage so that they could start performing for her.

Trevor interjected with an idea-- "Maria, if I may -- the servants did a magnificent job building the seashell room for you. Would you be okay with living in this single room for now instead of continuing to build the rest of the cottage?"

Some of the servants started murmuring to each other, wondering why Trevor wanted to pause the seashell cottage project?

Trevor had quickly texted two of his other servants, who were architects, to come to the pool enclosure and nodded to them when they arrived. One of them held a map, which she showed to the rest of the group.

"If we were to pause work on the seashell cottage," she said, "we can instead work on expanding the pool outside until it reaches this point on the shore" -- here she pointed -- "and Maria would be able to swim out to sea to begin collecting treasure!"

Amanda was impressed by their work and added, "And we could build the stage on the beach next to the pool extension!"

They all turned to Maria to see what she thought of the idea and whether she would be okay with just having a one-room cottage for now?