Exchanging Vows: The Swapped Wife Is a Top Shaman

Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Ivy’s Point of View

They stood before me, waiting. Loyal. Ready.

It was time to tell them the truth.

"What I’m about to reveal cannot leave this room." I looked at each of them in turn. "If anyone discovers what I’m about to tell you, it could mean death. For me. For all of us."

The atmosphere shifted. Became heavier. More serious.

"I understand if that frightens you. If anyone wishes to leave now, before hearing my secret, they may do so. No judgment. No consequences."

No one moved.

I took a deep breath.

"I am a shaman."

Silence.

"Not just any shaman." I let the words sink in. "I am a top shaman. The kind that appears once in a thousand years."

Nell’s hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes went wide with shock.

The guards exchanged stunned glances. Even Ash, stoic and unflappable, looked shaken.

"Young Madam..." Stone’s voice came out hoarse. "Are you certain?"

"I’ve known since I was fourteen years old." I clasped my hands behind my back. "I saved my father’s life when every physician in the Crescent Moon Pack had given up on him. I brought him back from the edge of death using techniques that haven’t been practiced in centuries."

Nell stepped forward, her face pale. "Miss Ivy, how... how is this possible? I’ve known you since we were children. I never saw any sign..."

"Because I hid it." My voice hardened. "My father made me swear to keep it secret. He knew what would happen if my uncle discovered the truth."

"Alpha Roland," Ash said grimly.

"Yes. If he learned that his brother’s daughter was a top shaman, he would have claimed me as pack property. Chained me to the Crescent Moon Pack forever. Forced me to heal his warriors, save his allies, clean up his messes." I shook my head. "I would have been nothing more than a tool. A weapon to be used and discarded."

"So you pretended to be ordinary," Nell whispered.

"I pretended to be weak. Pathetic. Unremarkable." A bitter smile crossed my face. "It wasn’t hard. Everyone already believed that about me anyway."

The room fell silent again. I could see them processing this information. Rearranging everything they thought they knew about me.

"This is why you recovered so quickly from the bond-breaking ceremony," Ash said slowly. "You used your abilities to protect yourself."

"Yes. I prepared medicines beforehand. Spiritual tonics that cushioned the worst of the damage." I paused. "Bastian had no such protection. That’s why he’s still bedridden while I’m standing here talking to you."

Wolf let out a low whistle. "No wonder you weren’t afraid."

"I was terrified," I admitted. "But I knew I had a chance. A fighting chance."

Blade spoke up. "Why tell us now, Young Madam? Why reveal this secret after keeping it hidden for so long?"

"Because I need your help." I began pacing slowly. "There’s something else you should know. Something about Young Master Dominic."

They waited.

"The physicians have been lying. For six months, they’ve claimed to be treating him. Trying to heal him." My voice turned cold. "In reality, they’ve been making him worse. Sabotaging his recovery. Pushing him closer to death with every visit."

Gasps filled the room.

"Someone wants Dominic dead," I continued. "Someone with enough power to corrupt a royal physician. Someone who benefits from the heir’s demise."

"Bastian," Nell breathed. "And Lady Margot."

"Most likely. Though I can’t prove it yet." I stopped pacing and faced them. "But here’s the thing. I can heal Dominic. I can bring him back."

The hope that bloomed on their faces was almost painful to see.

"His injuries are severe but not irreversible. Blood clots in his brain. Bone fragments pressing on his nerves. Things that regular physicians can’t fix." I allowed myself a small smile. "But I can. It will take time. Three months of weekly treatments. But I can save him."

Nell let out a sound that was half laugh, half sob. "Young Madam, that’s wonderful!"

"It would be wonderful. If it weren’t incredibly dangerous." My smile faded. "Margot and Vivienne and Bastian are all watching. Waiting for Dominic to die so they can seize his position. If they discover that he’s recovering, they’ll try to stop it. Try to stop me."

"We won’t let them," Stone growled.

"Which is why this must remain absolutely secret." I held up a hand. "No one can know that I’m treating Dominic. No one can know that I’m a shaman. The moment that information leaks, we’re all dead."

They nodded solemnly.

"But there’s another problem." I resumed my pacing. "My abilities can do more than save Dominic. There are others I could help. Others who could become powerful allies."

"Like Professor Aldwin," Ash said, catching on quickly.

"Exactly. His condition is called Spirit Wasting. The connection between his soul and body is deteriorating. Regular physicians can’t see it, can’t treat it. But I can." I turned to face them. "If I heal him, he’ll owe me a debt. A legendary scholar with connections to the royal court, in my debt."

"That would be invaluable," Blade observed.

"It would. But I can’t just walk into his house and announce that I’m a shaman. That would expose everything." I stopped in front of Ash. "Which is where you come in."

He straightened. "What do you need, Young Madam?"

"I’m going to create a persona. A mysterious healer who appears out of nowhere, cures impossible cases, and vanishes without a trace." I smiled. "A miracle doctor. Someone everyone talks about but no one can identify."

Understanding dawned in Ash’s eyes. "You want us to play this role."

"I want you to be the face of this persona. The voice. The body that people see." I gestured to the other guards. "All of you. You’ll take turns appearing as the miracle doctor. Different locations. Different times. Never a pattern that can be traced."

"And you’ll be the one actually performing the treatments," Nell said.

"From the shadows. Always hidden. Always protected." I nodded. "The miracle doctor will build a reputation. Gain followers. Attract powerful clients. And no one will ever know that the real healer is the quiet, unremarkable wife of the dying Silvermoon heir."

Shadow spoke for the first time. "It’s brilliant, Young Madam."

"It’s risky," I corrected. "One mistake and everything falls apart. But if we succeed..." I let the possibilities hang in the air.

Ash dropped to one knee again. The others followed.

"Tell us what to do," he said. "We’re ready."

I looked at them. My people. My conspirators. My soldiers in this secret war.

"The first step is Professor Aldwin." I began outlining the plan. "Luna Helena is arranging an introduction. I’ll visit him as Dominic’s wife, paying respects to a dying scholar. While I’m there, I’ll assess his condition. Confirm my diagnosis."

"And then?" Nell asked.

"Then the miracle doctor will make his first appearance." I smiled grimly. "We’re going to save a dying professor. And in doing so, we’re going to change everything."

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