Synopsis

[Previous Title: Travesty of 1959 (TO1959)]
Ines Lacroix, the Lady of the Witching Hour who was hunted worldwide for decades.

Someone like her… No one would believe that she had settled down, and grown into an old wrinkly woman who sold books for a living.

From being a low-ranked member in an occult, a personnel under the Archduke, then a Saintess belonging to the Church of the Sun God, to finally having her face plastered everywhere and deemed a sinner.

At first, Ines was flabbergasted at the accusations that flew her way one after another. Worst of all, all those whom she once knew believed the damned rumors and the papers—even her closest allies, and her lover, Regis Beaumont.

During the pinnacle of her horrid reputation, horrified, Ines watched as the rumors came to life.

Starting from mass genocide, arson, crimes against humanity, and dozens more—crimes and actions she had never committed were now tied with her name.

But as time flew by, Ines had unknowingly accepted the rumors, and she became the person they made her out to be.

“Ines,” Regis mumbled, a distraught look in his eyes, “You’ve changed.”

Gently embracing the deformed spirit in her arms, she patted their little heads and smiled at him. “Have I?”

—
Excerpt:

Ines watched as her sweet, beloved lover, Regis, held a blade to her neck. The poor man trembled like a feeble branch, unable to go through with his actions.

“Do you hate me?” She softly asked, looking him in the eye. When he didn’t reply, she leaned closer to his blade. A thin red line appeared on her neck, and droplets of blood spilled onto the ground.

Regis shook, and the corners of his eyes reddened as he helplessly dropped his blade.

“No,” He murmured.

A smile slowly crept up Ines’ face. Tears streamed down her face like a waterfall, and she threw herself at him. Muttering incoherent words, she wrapped her arms around him and wept.

For a moment, Regis stood still. But, in the face of her tears, he crumbled and hugged her back.

“I’m sorry, my love. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“I know.” Ines watched as he defenselessly leaned into her arms, unaware of the looming dangers. Slowly, she raised a small dagger that she had previously hidden in her sleeve and aimed it at his heart.

——
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