The Witch in the Woods: The Transmigration of Hazel-Anne Davis

The manor was quiet again.

But since this was me, it wasn't the quiet of peace. No. This was the kind of silence that came just before a storm struck.

And by storm, I mean the many mistresses of my husband.

I'll need to add them to my list of things to do.

Even Shadow didn't stir when I passed. Yaozu had warned me—politely, of course, as he always did—that Lady Yuan had come uninvited and was waiting in my receiving room.

"She believes she's entitled," he said flatly, eyes glinting. "She thinks she's won."

I hadn't responded then.

I was responding now.

My steps echoed like blades against the polished stone as I pushed open the doors.

Lady Yuan was already seated—sprawled, rather—on one of the cushioned divans near the window. Her dress was gaudy today: embroidered peonies in deep crimson, with golden thread that caught the morning sun like flame. Her hair was done in high loops, more suited for a consort than a court lady.

She didn't rise when I entered.

Her smile curled, lacquered lips parting in something that might've been mistaken for civility—if one didn't know better.

I closed the door behind me. Not loudly. Just enough for the final click of the latch to land like a sentence.

"Lady Yuan," I said smoothly.

"Princess Zhao," she returned with a slow incline of her head, like a cat mocking a lion.

She gestured to the seat across from her. "Please. Sit. We have so much to discuss."

I remained standing.

Her smile didn't falter.

Yet.

"I hear the court is shifting quickly these days," she said, pouring herself a cup of tea. "Positions opening. Alliances forming. Old names losing favor."

I tilted my head.

"You mean your name."

"Not at all." She sipped. "My family has always served the empire. And now, with war spreading and generals needed, well… it seems our loyalty will finally be properly rewarded. I mean, even my Aunt is on your side now… and you killed her precious son."

"Your Aunt is simply trying to find a way to survive, nothing more," I scoffed. "If she could, I'm pretty sure that she would have ripped out my spine and beaten me with it. But she has no power now."

Lady Yuan set her cup down with a soft clink, clearly not impressed by my words.

"I'm sure you understand how these things work," she continued, with the confidence of someone who believed herself untouchable. "Men make decisions based on value. Assets. My father commands one of the most formidable private forces in Daiyu. Surely His Highness understands how useful that would be. Especially now that he is finally fighting for the throne."

There it was.

The bait.

And beneath it, the delusion.

I crossed the room slowly, stopping just behind the chair instead of taking it.

"I suppose you've already imagined your new title," I murmured.

Lady Yuan's eyes glittered.

"Titles are just words," she said coyly. "But position? Influence? That lasts. And I've no doubt Mingyu will be very… generous to those who helped pave his way to the throne."

Her fingers drummed the edge of the tea tray. "After all, it wouldn't do for him to forget his loyal allies. Or their families."

"Families," I echoed softly.

She caught the shift in tone but didn't retreat.

Bold, I'll give her that.

Arrogant, too.

"My father has already written," she said. "He's prepared to offer a full regiment to support the Crown Prince's ascension, if our arrangement is solidified."

"Our arrangement," I repeated, lips twitching into something almost resembling a smile. "Do clarify for me, Lady Yuan. What arrangement do you believe exists?"

Her brows lifted.

"The one that's obvious to everyone at court," she said. "Surely you've noticed. His Highness wants to protect me the best he can. That is why he hasn't included me yet in anything, he doesn't want me to be hurt. Everyone has noticed how he has sheltered me, everyone has noticed how he is willing to throw you out into the spotlight. There's talk, you know. That he is using you as my shield."

"Yes," I said, stepping forward until my shadow fell across her lap. "There's always talk."

She didn't move. But I saw her hand stiffen slightly against her sleeve.

"Mingyu is… pragmatic," she added, a hint of something sharper curling beneath her words. "He wouldn't let emotion blind him to real opportunity."

That was the moment I leaned down.

Close enough that she could see the red at the edges of my eyes. Close enough that she could smell the blood still drying beneath my sleeves.

"I see," I whispered. "You believe he'll trade me for troops."

She flinched.

Just slightly.

But I saw it.

"You believe," I continued, "that a man who painted the forests in blood for me… who razed the west and the south, who silenced the capital for my happiness… will hand me over like a pawn. For your father's leash."

Lady Yuan's throat bobbed once.

Her voice came a little thinner now. "He is ambitious. That's not—"

"He is mine," I snapped, voice low and absolute. "Not because I asked for it. Not because I wanted it. But because the moment I was hurt, he swore the world would pay. And it has."

I circled her then, slow as dusk.

"You flatter yourself, thinking you matter," I said coldly. "You're a tool. A sharp one, perhaps. But tools wear out. Break."

Lady Yuan stood suddenly, face tight.

"You think being the Empress' pet makes you untouchable?" she hissed. "She'll abandon you too. Just like the rest of them. And when she does—"

I was in front of her before she finished.

One hand around her throat.

Not hard enough to bruise.

But enough to catch her attention.

Her breath hitched. Her pulse thudded beneath my fingers.

"She already told me what to do with threats," I whispered. "She said fear was better than loyalty. That they'd follow longer if they believed I was worse than their worst nightmare."

I leaned closer, letting my breath brush her ear.

"Would you like to see what I've become?"

Lady Yuan gasped when I let go. She stumbled back, hand flying to her neck.

"No?" I asked sweetly. "Then you'll pack your things. Quietly. You'll return to your family estate. You'll tell your father the Crown Prince does not accept bribes masked as allegiance. And if he sends another offer…"

I tilted my head.

"There won't be enough left of your house to identify the bones."

Her lips parted—maybe to argue. Maybe to beg.

I was already walking away.

But I paused at the door and looked back.

"Oh, and Lady Yuan?" I smiled. "If you ever refer to my husband by name again, I'll rip your tongue out and gift-wrap it for your mother."

She didn't respond.

Not with words.

Her face said enough.

I left her shaking in the quiet room, the windows open to winter and all the warmth gone with it.

The halls outside were empty.

Yaozu leaned against a nearby column, unreadable.

"She won't try again," I said.

"No," he replied. "She won't dare."

"Good," I murmured. "Because I'm in no mood to clean up another body today."

We walked in silence for a moment.

Then he asked, "Did you mean it? About her father's army?"

I nodded. "We don't need it. We never did."

He smiled faintly. "Mingyu will be pleased."

I gave a tired shrug. "Let him be pleased. Let them all be pleased. I'm done playing nice."