Exchanging Vows: The Swapped Wife Is a Top Shaman novel Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Ivy’s Point of View

The moment I mentioned Professor Aldwin’s illness, the room erupted.

"Young Madam, absolutely not!"

"You can’t go near him!"

"It’s too dangerous!"

Ash stepped forward, his face tight with concern. "The professor has the Withering Plague. It’s highly contagious. Anyone who gets too close risks infection."

"I’ve heard the stories," Stone added grimly. "Three physicians have already caught the disease trying to treat him. Two of them died within weeks."

"The king sent him away from the capital because people were afraid to be near him," Blade said. "If you go there and get infected..."

"I won’t get infected."

They fell silent.

"I told you. I’m a shaman." I kept my voice calm. Steady. "The Withering Plague isn’t what regular physicians think it is. It’s not a disease of the body. It’s a disease of the spirit. The contagion spreads through spiritual contact, not physical."

Nell looked confused. "What does that mean?"

"It means I know how to protect myself." I walked to my desk and pulled out a piece of paper. "There are wards. Spiritual barriers that can block the transmission. I’ve read about them in the ancient texts. I know how to create them."

"Reading about something and actually doing it are different things," Ash said carefully.

"I’ve done it before." I met his eyes. "When my father was dying, I used similar techniques to prevent his condition from spreading to me. It worked then. It will work now."

They still looked uncertain.

"I understand your concern." I softened my tone. "Truly, I do. But this is our only chance. Professor Aldwin is dying. Every day we wait is a day closer to losing him forever. And with him, we lose our best opportunity to help my father."

Silence.

"Besides," I added, "if I can cure a disease that no one else can cure, imagine what that will do for our miracle doctor’s reputation."

That got their attention.

Ash exchanged glances with the other guards. Some unspoken communication passed between them.

Finally, he sighed. "What do you need us to do?"

Relief flooded through me. "First, we need supplies. Plain clothes for all of us. Nothing that identifies us as Silvermoon Pack. We need to look like traveling healers, not nobles."

"I’ll handle it," Stone said.

"Second, I need medical equipment. A proper physician’s bag. Herbs. Instruments. Nothing too expensive, but nothing too cheap either. We need to look legitimate."

"I know a merchant in town," Blade offered. "He sells to healers. I can get everything we need."

"Good. Third, and most importantly, I need a disguise for myself." I paused. "I can’t go as Ivy Calloway. Too many people might recognize me. I need to become someone else entirely."

Nell’s eyes lit up. "I have an idea, Young Madam."

An hour later, I stood before the mirror again.

But the reflection that stared back wasn’t Ivy Calloway.

It was a young man.

Nell had worked miracles. My hair was pulled back and hidden beneath a dark cap. My chest was bound flat beneath loose robes. A half-mask covered the lower portion of my face, obscuring my features while adding an air of mystery.

The clothes were simple but well-made. Dark blue fabric. Silver trim. The kind of outfit a wealthy merchant’s son might wear. Or a traveling scholar.

I turned this way and that, examining every angle.

"Incredible," I murmured.

"You look so handsome, Young Madam!" Nell clapped her hands together. "Like a prince from a storybook!"

The guards gathered around, nodding their approval.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify