The Witch serves as the primary antagonist, dwelling within a cursed section of the forest. She encounters King Hildebrand when he becomes lost during a hunt, luring him with a promise of safe passage in exchange for marrying her daughter, Greta. This marriage pact initiates her disruption of the king's family.

Her actions are driven by a desire to secure royal power and status for Greta. After the marriage, she actively targets the king's children. Using a magical skein, she locates their hidden forest residence and curses six of the seven princes into swans, leaving only Princess Elisa untouched.

The Witch later collaborates with Greta to undermine Elisa. When Elisa becomes engaged to King Friedrich, the Witch poisons a river, causing widespread illness to frame Elisa for witchcraft. This scheme exploits Elisa's vow of silence, preventing her defense. The act underscores the Witch's readiness to harm innocents for her goals.

She embodies manipulation and cruelty, consistently acting to advance Greta's interests and enable her daughter's ambitions, focused solely on securing royal positions. After Elisa breaks the swan curse and reveals the truth, the Witch and Greta face condemnation. Sentenced to death by the king, Elisa's intervention leads to their banishment from the kingdom, marking their final departure.