The city of Lily Pier, the heart of the western region and its largest city, stood before them with an atmosphere unlike any place Stella had seen before. Even from a distance, it felt different. There was a sense of openness to it, something less rigid than the structured order of the east.
Despite the faint chill carried by the autumn air, the temperature here felt noticeably warmer. It wasn't just the climate, it was something else. The movement of people, the colors, the liveliness of the streets… all of it created a subtle warmth that softened the sharp edge of the season.
As they drew closer, the details became clearer.
The layout of the buildings immediately stood out. Houses and shops didn't follow a strict pattern. At first glance, it felt almost random, as if each structure had been placed without a clear plan. Yet the longer one looked, the more a strange harmony revealed itself. Nothing truly clashed. The irregular spacing, the uneven heights, the shifting shapes, it all blended together into something unexpectedly balanced, the colors only added to that impression.
Unlike' Plain Of The East', where buildings leaned toward muted tones and uniformity, Lily Pier was filled with variation. Soft pastels stood beside deeper shades, painted wood beside stone, simple walls beside decorated facades. It should have felt overwhelming.
But it didn't, it felt alive.
What defined the city more than anything, however, was the flower it was named after, the lily.
It wasn't limited to gardens or decorative corners. It was everywhere. Along the sides of roads, near doorways, climbing low fences, even growing in small clusters between stones. Different types, different colors, all blending naturally into the city itself.
The closer they moved toward the center, the more noticeable it became. The concentration of lilies increased, especially near the pier that stretched out toward the sea, where the scent grew stronger with each step. The sea breeze carried it further inland, spreading a soft, almost overwhelming fragrance through the streets.
It didn't go unnoticed. Aemilia, for one, reacted immediately.
She had barely stepped into the denser parts of the city before she started sneezing, once, then again, clearly irritated by the heavy scent in the air. Johan gave her a brief glance, half amused, before looking away, while the others didn't comment, though the reaction itself was hard to ignore.
The people of Lily Pier were just as distinct as the city itself.
Most of the women wore their hair tied back, unlike in the east where it was often left loose or styled in more uniform ways. Here, no two styles seemed exactly the same. Some were simple, others more elaborate, but all carried a sense of individuality.
Their clothing reflected that same difference. It was less restrictive, more relaxed in form. Dresses were sometimes slightly shorter, sleeves lighter, leaving parts of the arms uncovered. Yet despite that, there was no sense of carelessness. Modesty was still present, just expressed differently.
Men and women alike often had fair skin touched with a faint golden tone, as if shaped by both sunlight and sea air. It wasn't uncommon to see young women using whitening powder, enhancing that pale appearance even further. Dark hair was more common than light, and when combined with their features, it gave them a distinct look compared to those from other regions.
What stood out even more, however, was their energy.
They were louder.Not in an unpleasant way, but noticeably more expressive. Conversations carried further, laughter came more easily, and gestures were more animated.
Even simple exchanges felt more alive than what Stella was used to.
It was a city that didn't try to hide itself.It showed everything, its colors, its noise, its movement, without restraint.
Stella sat inside the carriage, her hair left loose, falling naturally over one shoulder. Thomas, seated beside her, glanced at her for a moment longer than usual before speaking.
"Miss Alina," he said lightly, "let me give you a piece of advice. It would be better if you tied your hair before we step into the city."
Stella turned slightly toward him, her expression calm, almost indifferent.
"Hmm… why?" she asked, as if the matter didn't concern her much.
In truth, her attention had already sharpened.
She had noticed it too. Nearly every woman they had passed wore her hair tied in some way. The variation in style was clear, but the pattern itself was consistent enough to stand out.
Thomas let out a faint, knowing breath, as if he had expected the question.
"Yeah… I figured you wouldn't know," he replied. "Even people from nearby villages don't always pick up on it."
He shifted slightly, lowering his voice just enough to keep the conversation between them.
"In this city, and the areas around it, long, loose hair is considered… attractive. More than usual."
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Enough to draw attention you probably don't want."
Stella didn't respond immediately, but her gaze moved ahead, thoughtful.
Thomas continued, tone still casual, though the meaning behind his words was clear.
"So if you walk around like that," he added, gesturing briefly toward her hair, "there's a good chance someone might decide to grab it… and pull you somewhere you'd rather not end up."
A quiet chuckle followed, as if he had softened the warning with humor.
Stella finally spoke, her voice steady.
"…I see."
Her eyes moved briefly toward the window, watching the passing streets with renewed attention.