Elizabeth, at Westalia’s direction, went around the country visiting aristocrats to find out the extent of the damage caused by Elizabeth Pink. She was targeting those who claimed to be suffering from unexplained physical ailments. Although she didn’t know how exactly Westalia was trying to stop the spread of Elizabeth Pink, Elizabeth had decided to follow her lead, of her own volition, in order not to allow the damage of the dye to spread any further.
“I never expected you to come all the way out here, Lady Elizabeth. I’m sorry that I’m in such a state and can’t offer you any sort of hospitality,” said the woman Elizabeth was interviewing, before her words got cut off by a strained groan.
“Please don’t strain yourself. Are you in pain?”
“I feel...sick.” The woman looked nauseous, so Elizabeth picked up a washcloth from the side table next to the bed and handed it to her. Elizabeth rubbed the woman’s back until her nausea subsided.
“When did you first start feeling ill?”
“About six months ago.” The woman’s hands, face, and neck were covered in a familiar rash. And she was wearing loungewear made from a fabric dyed with Elizabeth Pink.
“This is a lovely outfit. When did you get it?”
“Um... I think it was about six months ago, from a dress shop in town. What was the name of the shop...?”
“There’s no need to remember the name. I see, about half a year ago...” Elizabeth said, biting her bottom lip.
Nausea and a rash... There’s no mistaking it, her symptoms are the result of Elizabeth Pink poisoning, Elizabeth thought. How sinful the Reyn family was. It was no exaggeration to say that Elizabeth Pink was the most captivating color in the country today. It was used for various things, from dresses and other clothing to curtains, wallpaper, and miscellaneous goods, mainly targeting aristocrats as its market.
Elizabeth had visited dozens of houses since she’d started her investigation and had seen many people suffering from the same symptoms.
“I would like you to remain calm and listen to me. Your symptoms are being caused by Elizabeth Pink. You need to get rid of these clothes right away,” Elizabeth said.
“What...?”
“The dye in Elizabeth Pink contains a toxin that is harmful to the human body. I am currently investigating the damage it has caused.”
The young lady’s eyes widened in surprise at the truth. She had never dreamed that the physical problems she had been suffering from were caused by the clothes she was wearing. Then Elizabeth asked her to sign a petition for the eradication of Elizabeth Pink and to write down the products she owned that used the dye and the details of her symptoms.
Elizabeth left after the woman had written everything down. Dion, clad in a cloak, was waiting outside the room.
“Welcome back. I see you didn’t get egged this time,” he said, waving at Elizabeth and smiling flippantly. He’d been accompanying Elizabeth for the past month since she’d begun her investigations.
Elizabeth walked out of the mansion ignoring Dion, and he fell into step behind her, a lopsided grin on his face, unbothered by her brusque attitude.
The egging Dion was referring to was something that had happened at another house they’d visited. When Elizabeth confided that the dye was the cause of the unexplained physical ailments, the woman had at first been puzzled and then gradually become angry. Her respect for Elizabeth, who she’d once thought an exemplary lady, had turned into hatred. She’d glared at Elizabeth like an enemy, reprimanded her, and then thrown eggs at her. Elizabeth was, after all, the face of Elizabeth Pink; naturally the woman blamed Elizabeth for making her sick. All Elizabeth could do was apologize, even as she’d been spat at and had water thrown on her.
“Where are we going next? Another noble’s estate?” Dion asked.
“Yes, that’s right. Westalia is handling the investigation into commoners who were affected,” Elizabeth replied. She stopped and turned to look at Dion with a quizzical look on her face. “Why are you accompanying me?”
“Well, it would be dangerous for you to go alone,” Dion said.
“That’s not really a reason. You have no need to worry about me. You’re Leonardo’s loyal servant. Doesn’t that keep you busy? You should get back to Le Chantier Palace as soon as possible.”
Leonardo always seemed so busy that he barely had time to rest, and Dion was usually with him. He really wasn’t in a position to be spending so much time with Elizabeth.
“To tell you the truth, he’s the one who ordered me here.” Dion moved in closer to Elizabeth and smirked. He had a teasing, probing look on his face.
“Oh...”
“It was none other than your beloved Crown Prince Leonardo who ordered me to look out for you,” Dion said.
Elizabeth wondered why. Leonardo had seemed to dislike Elizabeth, given that she was a member of the Reyn family. He’d disregarded Elizabeth’s obvious goodwill and had even spoken coldly to her before. So why would that change now?
“Why is he showing such concern for me?” Elizabeth asked. She had a history of being mean to Westalia and had torn up an important dress of hers. It would be no wonder if Leonardo hated her.
“He knows about your situation and feels sympathy for you, obviously. He might seem cold on the outside, but he’s actually a kind person.”
“I know that...”
It’s not fair for him to be kind to me at a time like this... Elizabeth thought. As she received harsh treatment everywhere she went these days, it made her heart soar that Leonardo was concerned about her. Leonardo and Westalia were similar in some ways. No matter how much they disliked someone, they were the kind of people who would unconditionally help anyone whom they saw in need. They seemed to be a perfect match for each other. There was no room for Elizabeth, and even if she won the empress selection, she knew that there would never be a day when Leonardo would look at her like he did Westalia. Her eyes pricked at the gloomy realization and she bit her lip to keep the tears from falling.