The doors of the tavern closed behind them, leaving behind the warmth and chatter of Arden and Marella's place. Outside, Velkaris stretched wide—its avenues alive with merchants shouting, carriages rattling, and pedestrians weaving through the crowd. Lanterns glowed faintly against the early evening light, casting golden patches on the cobblestones.
Trafalgar walked at an even pace, Mayla keeping close beside him. She held her hands together, her eyes scanning the bustle with quiet curiosity. "I haven't really visited the city," she admitted after a moment. "Well, Garrika showed me a few streets, but we only went shopping for clothes. Most of what I owned before was just maid uniforms. This outfit—" she glanced down at her simple blouse and skirt "—it's the only thing I had that wasn't tied to serving you. But it already feels outdated compared to the fashions here."
