Exchanging Vows: The Swapped Wife Is a Top Shaman

Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Ivy’s Point of View

I woke with the sunrise.

For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling. Dominic’s steady breathing filled the silence beside me. Warm sunlight crept through the curtains, painting golden stripes across the bed.

Another day. Another step forward.

I dressed quickly and made my way to Luna Helena’s residence. The morning air was crisp and fresh, carrying the scent of blooming flowers from the gardens.

Luna Helena was already awake when I arrived. She sat in her private sitting room, a cup of tea steaming in her hands. She looked tired. The worry lines around her eyes seemed deeper than before.

"Ivy." She smiled when she saw me. "Come, sit. Have some tea with me."

I settled into the chair across from her. A servant poured me a cup without being asked.

"How was your trip home yesterday?" Luna Helena asked. "I heard you returned quite late."

"It was... eventful."

"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow. "Tell me."

So I did.

I told her about the locked gates. About being forced to wait outside like an unwanted beggar. About Seraphina’s smug face and Luna Camilla’s false generosity.

I told her about the Moonfire Pendant.

Luna Helena nearly choked on her tea. "You asked for the Moonfire Pendant? That’s one of the most valuable heirlooms in the Crescent Moon Pack!"

"She offered me anything I wanted." I shrugged. "I simply took her at her word."

"You clever girl." Luna Helena laughed. It was a genuine laugh, the first I had heard from her in days. "I wish I could have seen Camilla’s face."

"It was quite satisfying."

Then I told her about the lunch. About Alpha Roland ordering my father to pour wine. About the shattered cup and the screaming.

Luna Helena’s expression darkened. "That’s disgraceful. Edwin is his brother. His Beta. To humiliate him like that in front of guests..."

"My uncle has never treated my father with respect." I set down my teacup. "Which is why I did something about it."

I explained the confrontation. The threat. The leverage I held over Seraphina. How I had forced Alpha Roland to grant my father permission to take the kingdom examination.

When I finished, Luna Helena was staring at me with wide eyes.

"You threatened an Alpha in his own hall?"

"I did what was necessary."

"Ivy..." She shook her head slowly. "You continue to surprise me. Every time I think I understand you, you reveal another layer."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No." She reached over and squeezed my hand. "It’s refreshing. This pack needs more people willing to stand up for what’s right."

I squeezed back. "Actually, I wanted to ask for your help with something."

"Anything."

"My father will be taking the examination in three months. And my brother will be eligible next year." I met her eyes. "Do you know any professors who might be willing to tutor them? Someone reputable. Someone who could give them a real chance at success."

Luna Helena thought for a moment. Her brow furrowed in concentration.

"There are several scholars I could recommend. Most of them owe favors to the Silvermoon Pack." She paused. "But the best one... the one who could truly make a difference... is Professor Aldwin."

"Professor Aldwin?"

"He’s a legend in academic circles. Taught at the royal academy for forty years. Three of his former students now serve on the king’s council." Luna Helena sighed. "But I’m afraid he won’t be able to help."

"Why not?"

"He’s ill." Her expression turned sad. "Very ill. He’s been bedridden for months now. Even the best physicians in the kingdom can’t figure out what’s wrong with him."

My interest sharpened. "What kind of illness?"

"It’s strange." Luna Helena shook her head. "His body is wasting away, but there’s no infection. No disease. No injury. He simply grows weaker every day. His mind is still sharp, but his body refuses to cooperate."

"Have they checked for poison?"

"Multiple times. Nothing. The physicians are completely baffled." She sipped her tea. "Some say it’s simply old age catching up to him. He’s nearly eighty years old. But his family insists he was perfectly healthy six months ago."

Six months. Sudden onset. No physical cause.

The symptoms clicked into place in my mind.

I had read about this in one of the ancient shaman texts. A condition called Spirit Wasting. It occurred when the connection between a person’s soul and body began to deteriorate. The spiritual threads that bound them together would fray and weaken, causing the body to slowly shut down.

Regular physicians couldn’t detect it because they only examined the physical body. They couldn’t see the spiritual damage underneath.

But a shaman could.

And a shaman could fix it.

The treatment was delicate. It required channeling spiritual energy into the patient to strengthen the weakened threads. Essentially re-weaving the connection between soul and body. It was exhausting work, and it required multiple sessions over several weeks.

But it was possible.

I kept my face neutral. Showing too much interest would raise questions I couldn’t answer.

"That’s unfortunate," I said carefully. "Perhaps you could recommend some other professors then? Ones who are currently able to teach?"

"Of course." Luna Helena nodded. "I’ll speak with Alpha Alaric when he returns this evening. I’m sure we can find suitable tutors for your father and brother."

"Thank you, Luna Helena. I appreciate your help."

"It’s the least I can do." She patted my hand. "You’re family now. And family helps each other."

I stayed for a little while longer, making small talk about household matters. But my mind was elsewhere. Spinning with possibilities.

Professor Aldwin. A legendary scholar with connections to the royal court. If I could heal him...

No. I couldn’t think about that yet. It was too risky. Too exposed.

But the idea had taken root. And it refused to leave.

Eventually, I excused myself and returned to my residence.

Nell was waiting for me in the main hall, a ledger in her hands.

"Young Madam, welcome back. Is there anything you need?"

"Actually, yes." I sat down at the small desk by the window. "I want you to give me a full accounting of my assets."

Nell blinked. "Your assets?"

"Everything I own. The dowry I brought from the Crescent Moon Pack. The items Luna Helena gave me after the wedding. The Moonfire Pendant." I gestured for her to sit. "I need to know exactly what resources I have at my disposal."

"Of course, Young Madam." Nell opened the ledger and began flipping through pages. "Give me a moment to gather everything."

She hurried off to collect the relevant documents.

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