Transmigrated as the villainess: I claimed five beast husbands!

The next morning.

Anna hummed a merry tune to herself as she made her way to Ray’s ward. The sun rose and she felt absolutely refreshed. Even though yesterdays events, especially the sudden and heated kiss with Drax still burned in her mind, she didn’t let it bother her this morning. She got up, did her duties and got dressed in one of her less fashionable but still pretty pink gown.

A soft pale pink mist of spores floated around her, matching her sunny mood.

She got to the ward, and pushed the door open. Her humming stopped and her eyes widened.

The suffocating air of the ward was completely gone, replaced by a warm morning light. Golden sunlight filtered in through the high windows, giving everything a lovely glow.

Sitting in the velvet armchair beside Ray’s mattress was Drax. He was dressed in dark green robes this morning, his hair pulled back into a low ponytail that rested on his right shoulder. He casually propped one ankle over his knee, a thick leather bound book resting on his calf. He leafed through the book lazily, while bobbing his head.

Drax looked stunning. So handsome that Anna forgot how to breath. But the one that stole away her final breaths was Ray. He sat upright in the middle of the bed, fully dressed in his usual attire of black and silver jewelry, his wings folded behind him. He was looking at Drax, gesturing animatedly with his hands as he chatted about something.

"And you remember that silk trader from before right?" He asked, his voice deep and mellow yet full of excitement.

"The one that cheated you out of ten coins?" Drax replied without looking up from his book.

"Not that one!"

"Hmm, the one that always wore that stupid brown hat?"

"Yes! He’s dead!"

"Oh no, how unfortunate. Give me the details."

Anna blinked, unable to believe what was happening in front of her. The scene was so warm and soft, filled with the familiarity of two very close friends, that Anna wished she hadn’t come in at all. It felt like intruding.

She stood frozen in the doorway, her dark eyes darting between them. Just yesterday, Ray was pale and looked drained. But now he was glowing. His skin was back to its rich glowy tan, and he looked like he’d drank from a fountain of energy.

A wave of awkwardness washed over her. Something pricked in her heart, a slow tinge of isolation.

She knew she didn’t belong here.

Even if she was Princess Orchid. She was only wearing her face. These men both knew the real Princess Orchid, especially Drax.

So she turned to leave, hoping she’d slip away unnoticed.

Then Ray turned.

His sharp eyes snapped towards her, and the second his inky black gaze landed on her, his entire face lit up with a bright smile.

"Your highness!" He called out. His voice was bright and full of energy, and again Anna felt whiplash at how different he sounded.

Before she could stammer out an apology for intruding, he swung his long legs out of the bed and ran up to her, his bare feet padding across the floor. He stood in front of her, beaming, looking so darn happy to see her. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

If he had a tail, I’m sure it’d be wagging like crazy right now.

"You’re up early," Ray said, his eyes scanning her face with an intense softness. "Did you sleep well? I was hoping you’d come by today."

"I...I just wanted to check on your stitches," Anna stammered, her face turning a light shade of pink that matched her spores.

He’s looking at me so adoringly! Ahhhhh! I’m going to combust!

Over Ray’s broad shoulder, Anna nervously looked at Drax.

He hadn’t moved an inch. He didn’t even look up from his book. He just turned another page, the paper fluttering softly. The corner of his lips twitched, and that was the only sign Anna got that he was paying attention.

"Here," Ray took her hand, guiding her further into the room. He kicked Drax out of the velvet armchair and made her sit. Drax stayed silent, taking a much smaller chair and returning to his book .

Anna relcuywntly settled in, trying her absolute best to keep her eyes on Ray and not let them wander to Drax, who was sitting right across from her.

Ray perched on the bed, vibrating with excitement, the silver earrings dangling from his ear catching light and reflecting.

Anna laughed softly at the enthusiasm in his eyes. "You look excited," she said.

"I am. I couldn’t sleep last night after—" he started to say then his cheeks turned red and he cleared his throat. "How are you?"

They lapsed into an easy conversation. She asked about his stitches, making sure he hadn’t pulled out any of them. He answered eagerly and quickly, his eyes dazed, and happy. Anna stomach filled with butterflies. There was something about the adoring look in her eyes that made her want to pull him in and protect him forever.

But from time to time, her eyes would dart to Drax and she’d wonder "why isn’t he saying anything?"

A few minutes later, the ward door swung open and the head doctor stepped inside with a clipboard. He checked Ray’s vitals, clearing his throat as he did.

"Remarkable!" The man announced turning to Anna with a respectful bow. "Your highness, Lord Ray’s constitution is truly impressive. The wound is closing nicely. At this rates he will be cleared for a full discharge by tomorrow morning,"

Anna let out a genuine sigh of relief. "Thank Goodness!"

The doctor nodded, then he paused. A look of hesitation crossed his eyes as he tapped his quill against the clipboard. "Oh another note, your highness?"

"Yes?"

"Have you by any chance seen General Leon? The staff mentioned he hasn’t returned to the barracks since yesterday morning, and we still need to run some tests on him."

The happy smile on Anna’s face faded. "No she replied instantly. Her posture stiffened at the mere mention of Leon’s name. "I haven’t eeen him."

Suddenly, the quiet rustle of turning pages paused.

From the stool, Drax finally broke his silence. "He’s missing? Good. He should stay missing." His voice was low and smooth, cutting through the morning air like a hot knife through butter.

Anna shivered. Drax had remained calm when he said that, but the undertone in his voice suggested anything but calm. The rooms temperature dropped and the doctor swallowed hard, a cold sweat appearing on his brow.

Anna didn’t dare look back at Drax. She knew exactly what he meant by that. And she’d be lying if she said it didn’t terrify her.

***

Meanwhile, far from the warm light of the medical wing, the private quarters of the Eastern army’s general was entirely shrouded in darkness.

Deep inside a secluded and private basement which Leon had hastily cleared out, the air was suffocating, hot and filled with the metallic scent of blood and something else that wasn’t of a living creature.

Leon sat in the centre of the stone basement, a lone candle light flicking, casting long and deadly shadows into his eyes and face. Hus military uniform was disheveled, his breathing hard and ragged, like he’d run a marathon with no water. His eyes were wide and bloodshot, glowing a fierce amber that rivaled that of the candle light. His mane had turned spiky and glitched, a low discordance of shape and color.

"Again," he snarled, his voice a dangerous whisper. "You’re not getting it right. Make her smile. Make her want to touch me."

Chained to the wall in front of him, was Tristan.

The Empath was still in his beastman form, long golden hair cascading down his shoulders in tired strands. His green eyes had lost all light, and his face bore bruises from the times Leon had gripped his chin hard and forced him to obey. The collar around his neck glinted in the low candlelight, its black centre remaining cold and light absorbing as always. Leon’s command triggered the collar, causing it to sends sparks of current through his entire body, overriding his ability to fight, his ability to say no.

"Please..." he gasped. His pale face was slicked with tears, his breaths coming out in weak exhausted gasps as he hung limply from the chains. "I’m tired, Leon."

Leon scoffed. "You’re a beast. Your kind doesn’t get tired. Do what I said or I’ll double the collar."

A shudder wracked through Tristan’s body at the threat. From the manic look in Leon’s eyes, he knew it wasn’t an empty threat.

With a soft, miserable voice, he obeyed, projecting an illusion into the air.

Dark purple mist flowed out of him, forming a hyper-realistic glowing illusion of Anna. But she wasn’t glaring at Leon with hatred and digust the real Anna used.

This illusion smiled. Her eyes were full of adoration. She walked up to Leon and said "I love you, Leon. I’m sorry I ever doubted you, my sweet husband."

Leon leaned back into his chair, letting out a low, shuddering groan. Heat rushed through his entire body. His hand moved over himself, touching his own body to the image of Anna in front of him, smiling coyly, professing her undying love for him.

When he finished, his hand sticky with his spend, and sweat dripping down his face, his slowly turned his attention to Tristan.

"Good. That was better." He said, taking out a handkerchief and wiping his hand clean.

He smiled, a satisfied glint in his eyes as he got to his feet and smoothened his disheveled clothes.

Tristan sobbed, his head hanging limply, his shoulders quaking with the weight of his sobs.

"I’m sorry..." the Empath chanted over and over again.

Leon paid him no heed. Slowly, the signs of corruption began to fade. His mane returned to normal and the glow in his eyes vanished.

He felt alive. The heat coursing through his veins was nowhere near extinguished.

No matter what happened, he was going to make the real Anna look at him like that.

Come hell or fucking high water.