Chapter 48

Eitana, the head maid, was the most senior in the palace.

A young maid, worried that Eitana, who was always punctual and serious, had not woken up, went to check on her and found her lying motionless on her back in the middle of the room, and fainted on the spot.

Hearing the scream, the guard knights peered into the room, dragged the fainted maid out, and immediately declared the room off-limits. A suspicious death in the palace was a major incident.

An investigation was quickly launched, and it was determined that Eitana, who had been drunk, had stepped on a crystal ball on the floor without noticing it, fell backward, and struck the back of her head violently on the corner of a table, resulting in accidental death. The diagnosis was quick due to the partially empty wine bottle and the smell of alcohol on Eitana. Eitana's body was taken to her family.

A letter was left on Eitana's desk. The letter, which was handed over to the head of the guard by the guard who discovered it, was immediately delivered to His Majesty the King. This was because the content of the letter was important.

Markus, along with his younger brother Moshe and their mother, was listening to the king's explanation in the king's office.

"The letter states that she intended to leave the palace and commit suicide. Along with the letter of confession, there was a resignation letter. However, her belongings were packed, and a bag containing what could be considered her entire fortune was in her suitcase."

"Is the content of the letter credible?"

"According to the officials who investigated, the location where the forged letter was hidden and the content of the letter were accurate, and it was something only the person who hid it would know."

"Father, would someone who intended to confess and commit suicide pack their belongings and take all their wealth? Perhaps they were planning to escape punishment and live in hiding somewhere?"

"Perhaps she didn't intend to die. This isn't the luggage of someone who was about to die. Still, why now after hiding it for so many years?"

The queen interjected bitterly.

"Wasn't she trying to free herself from years of guilt? She was of an age where she could have been called to the court of the gods. Still, Aula was tortured and executed despite being innocent. It's too pitiful."

"The root of all this was the chancellor's scheme to increase his power by making his daughter the queen."

Markus looked intently at the king, who had a bitter expression, and pleaded.

"Since both the chancellor and Eitana are dead, we cannot punish them, which is regrettable. Many of the people in this country still hate not only Aula but also other magicians. Therefore, it is our responsibility as the royal family to spread the truth. Father, I beg you to issue a proclamation to inform the people of the truth and restore the honor of Aula and all the magicians."

"Yes, we must do that. We must erase the debts of the Shemel era."

A few days later, the royal proclamation was delivered to every place where people lived, from the capital of the Laminb Kingdom to all the oases and border villages, and posted in visible locations. Personnel were also assigned to read the proclamation to those who could not read.

Everyone was surprised, especially those who had wished for Aula's execution and rejoiced at it, who were deeply tormented by regret.

"The magician Aula was innocent. It was a conspiracy by the then-chancellor." This news spread throughout the country. The news, of course, also reached the slums of the capital.

Isabel stood still for a while after reading the royal proclamation posted on the street in the slums, then returned home. She held her late husband's bracelet to her chest and prayed for a long time.

In the village where Aula had often visited to fill the reservoir, a memorial service was held. The elderly who knew the events of the time had long harbored both gratitude to Aula and anger over the loss of their homes and families in the flood, but they were relieved to finally know the truth.

The news that "Aula was executed unjustly" shocked many who knew the events of the time.

The group from the farm had come to the notice board in the capital's market.

"‘... Therefore, the royal family hereby announces the innocence of the magician Aula.’”

Many adults around them listened to Ethan reading the notice. The farm workers all looked relieved. They were reassured that if Alesia's powers were known to the general public, she would be less likely to face hostility.

Alesia, however, had a blank expression and kept rereading the notice. It stated that the evidence used to sentence Aula to death was forged, but the name of the person who confessed was not mentioned, only that the person was already dead.

(Could it be Eitana, who was a maid at the time... Could that person have been the one who framed me? But she, no, that girl, came to the prison to encourage me until the end and even cried for me.)

She had just been happy to see the elderly Eitana when she visited Princess Edna the other day, thinking, "She's safe and working here." Alesia was confused. When she met Eitana after decades, Eitana had been promoted to head maid, and her attire and demeanor were impressive. She had been happy to glance at her during tea breaks.

It was hard to believe that the person who framed her was that Eitana.

The fact that the announcement was made at this time suggested that Eitana had confessed immediately after meeting her. And then died? Did she commit suicide? She didn't want to think that meeting her was the trigger.

She looked nothing like her past life, Aula, except for her eyes. Her past life had black hair, was tall, and had a more severe face compared to now. Most importantly, she was a different age. There was no way anyone could have recognized her. There was no way anyone could have known.

"Oh, I don't understand anything anymore!"

"Huh? What's wrong, Alesia?"

"Father, I want to go to the palace and ask Prince Markus something. I wonder if I can see him if I go now."

"What are you going to do? If you're going, I'll accompany you."

"No, I'll be fine alone. Oh, I might be able to see Gil right away. I'm going!"

As Alesia was about to run off, her father, Serio, grabbed her arm, but she shook him off, saying, "It's okay with Gil!" and ran away.