Exchanging Vows: The Swapped Wife Is a Top Shaman

Chapter 37: Chapter 37

Ivy’s Point of View

The carriage ride back to the Silvermoon Pack was quiet at first.

I could see the questions on their faces. The confusion. They were loyal, but they didn’t fully understand my plan yet.

”You’re wondering why I’m going through all this trouble,” I said.

Ash nodded slowly. ”The shop. The disguise. The elaborate deception. It seems... complicated.”

”It is complicated. But necessary.” I leaned back against the carriage seat. ”Let me explain.”

They all leaned in, listening intently.

”Right now, Dominic is dying. Everyone in the pack knows it. The physicians have declared him beyond saving. Margot and Vivienne and Bastian are all circling like vultures, waiting for him to take his last breath.”

”We know this, Young Madam,” Stone said.

”What you don’t know is how dangerous it would be for me to heal him openly.” I paused, letting the words sink in. ”If I suddenly walked into his room and cured him with shaman techniques, what do you think would happen?”

Nell’s eyes widened. ”People would ask questions.”

”Exactly. They would want to know how I did it. Where I learned such skills. Why I had hidden them.” I shook my head. ”Within days, my secret would be exposed. And once people know I’m a top shaman...”

”They would use you,” Ash finished grimly. ”Just like your uncle would have.”

”Worse. Margot would see me as a threat. Someone who could undo all her schemes with a wave of my hand.” I met their eyes one by one. ”She would have me killed before I could save Dominic. Or she would find a way to control me. Use me for her own purposes.”

”So the miracle doctor persona...” Blade began.

”Is my shield.” I nodded. ”If a mysterious traveling physician appears and cures Dominic, no one will connect it to me. The credit goes to Physician Lin, a wandering healer with no ties to any pack. And Ivy Calloway remains exactly what everyone believes her to be. A weak, ordinary Beta’s daughter with no special abilities.”

Understanding dawned on their faces.

”It’s brilliant,” Wolf said quietly.

”It’s survival.” I looked out the window at the passing trees. ”The noble families of this pack are not harmonious. Everyone is watching the heir position. Bastian wants it. Margot wants it for him. Half the elders have already chosen sides. One wrong move, one moment of carelessness, and Dominic could be killed before I have a chance to save him.”

”We understand now,” Ash said. ”The deception protects both you and the Young Master.”

”Exactly.”

Silence fell for a moment. Then Stone spoke up.

”Young Madam, what happens when people come to the shop looking for the miracle doctor? If word spreads about Professor Aldwin’s recovery, there will be others seeking treatment.”

A good question. I had been thinking about it.

”We’ll establish a schedule,” I said. ”Physician Lin will be available for consultation one day per week. No more. And house calls will be limited to four days per month.”

”That’s very restricted,” Nell observed.

”It has to be. I can’t spend all my time playing miracle doctor. My primary focus is Dominic.” I tapped my fingers against my knee. ”Besides, scarcity creates value. If Physician Lin were available every day, people would take him for granted. But if he’s rare, mysterious, only appearing occasionally... that builds reputation.”

”And makes people desperate for his services,” Ash added with a knowing look.

”Desperate people pay well. Desperate people become loyal allies.” I smiled slightly. ”Professor Aldwin’s son has already promised me anything I want. Imagine having a dozen such promises. A hundred.”

The carriage rolled on.

By the time we reached the Silvermoon estate, the sun had begun to set. Orange and pink streaked across the sky, painting the clouds in brilliant colors.

We passed through the main gate and made our way toward my residence. The grounds were quiet at this hour. Most people were preparing for dinner.

But not everyone.

I spotted her before she spotted me. Seraphina. Strolling through the gardens as if she owned them. Her silk dress caught the evening light. Her hair was arranged in an elaborate style that must have taken hours.

She turned at the sound of our approach. Her eyes narrowed.

”Well, well.” She walked toward us, her lips curving into a mocking smile. ”Look who finally decided to come home.”

I kept walking. ”Seraphina.”

”Out all day again, I see.” She fell into step beside me, uninvited. ”Early morning until evening. What could possibly keep you so busy?”

”Nothing that concerns you.”

”Oh, but it does concern me.” Her voice dripped with false sweetness. ”As a member of this family, I have a responsibility to uphold our reputation. And your behavior lately has been... questionable.”

I stopped walking. Turned to face her.

”Questionable?”

”A woman running around from dawn to dusk. No chaperone except servants. Coming and going as she pleases.” Seraphina clicked her tongue disapprovingly. ”It’s not proper for a Luna-to-be. People will talk. They’ll wonder what you’re really doing out there.”

”Let them wonder.”

”You should learn to behave appropriately.” Her smile sharpened. ”Stay home. Tend to your dying husband. Act like a respectable wife instead of a wandering vagabond.”

I stared at her for a long moment.

Then I laughed.

”You know what, Seraphina?” I stepped closer, dropping my voice. ”If my behavior bothers you so much, there’s an easy solution.”

”What solution?”

”We can swap back.” I tilted my head, watching her expression carefully. ”You can have your precious Dominic. Tend to him day and night. Watch him waste away while you sit by his bedside like a proper wife.”

Her face went pale.

”And I’ll take Bastian.” I smiled sweetly. ”I hear he’s still recovering from the bond-breaking. Maybe I should go check on him. Bring him some soup. Fluff his pillows. Since you’re so worried about proper wifely behavior and all.”

”You wouldn’t dare.”

”Wouldn’t I?” I leaned in closer. ”Don’t forget, cousin. Dominic is still the heir. Still the firstborn son. Still worth more than your precious Bastian in the eyes of the pack. I’d be trading down, not up.”

Seraphina’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. Her face had gone from pale to bright red.

”You’re disgusting,” she hissed.

”And you’re in my way.” I brushed past her without another word. ”Have a lovely evening.”

I could feel her glare burning into my back as I walked away. Heard her furious footsteps as she stormed off in the opposite direction.

*Good,* I thought. *Stay angry. Stay distracted. Don’t look too closely at what I’m really doing.*

I reached my residence and headed straight for the private bathing chamber.

”Nell,” I called. ”Prepare the large tub. And bring the herbs we purchased this afternoon.”

”Yes, Young Madam.”