Aresia

Where the Slumbering Heights abruptly end like a two-pronged fork, providing some protection from the harsh winter storms, the Queendom of Ouvezia has made their home in a fertile valley, open to the east and south. Blocked off from the often violent northern storms, yet still receiving its fair share of light and rain from the sea, the valley is quite fertile and the breadbasket of Ouvezia.
As such, settling in the capital is a privilege not awarded to the vast majority of Ouvezians. Only the noble elite that can trace their maternal lines back to the ancestral heroes that founded the Queendom have a right to a house. Even among those families, members of lesser status inside the family are often sent to live in the lesser cities by the coast.

The cleanest city on Yvari

This makes Aresia a splendid city. Unlike most important cities, overcrowding is not an issue here. Unwilling to deal with the stench of sewage, the underbelly of Aresia is an elaborate labyrinth of guck and stench, frequently washed clean when a cistern collecting rainwater from the valley gets emptied through it. This cistern was carved out of the mountain after the previous approach of having servants keep the labyrinth clean resulted in countless servant deaths with little to no improvement on cleanliness. To avoid befouling the city's air with bothersome odors, the whole canalyzation system was kept as airtight as possible, and much to the bemusement of the nobles it turned out that yes, servant do need clean air to breathe as well.
The cleanliness of their capital is a source of great pride to Aresians. Sadly due to the strict regimen of who is even allowed into the city, it is quite difficult to show it off. Most Aresian noble houses therefore have a second residence in Menoubra, as much as they look down on the "capital of the rabble," as it is sometimes called behind closed doors. Traders visiting Ouvezia will most likely meet nobles during lavish parties, and the more well-traveled nobles are always looking out to see how traders that have seen Celsa's poop stair react to their more ignorant brethrens claims of Aresia being the only city that knows how to take care of its sewage. Being able to contain one's surprise at that claim and politely nodding along can greatly enhance the standing with the more well-traveled nobles and open up a great many benevolent business opportunities, while correcting the assumption, no matter how politely, is regarded as rather boorish.

The royal residence

The Royal Palace of Ouvezia lies in the center of the Royal Parks that occupy the part of the valley closest to the wall. It serves as a small wildlife refuge in the middle of the city, with tame deer and lush forests in up against the wall and vibrant flowerbeds facing the city proper. This lavish use of space in otherwise cramped Aresia dramatically underlines the status of the Royal family, and together with the year-round pleasant climate makes it a favored residence of every Royal couple so far.
Actual occupancy depends heavily on the temperament of the regents and how much they want to involve themselves in day-to-day politics and trade agreements, but in general Aresia is more for the private moments, while representative moments like Royal Childbirth or weddings have to happen in Menoubra for everyone to see.