Chapter 27
[ 1,143 words ]
Ivy’s Point of View
Nell returned with a stack of documents and spread them across the desk.
“I’ve compiled everything, Young Madam.” She pointed to the first page. “These are the properties you inherited from your mother’s side. Three shops in Crescent Moon Pack territory.”
I scanned the locations. Two were in smaller districts. Nothing special. But the third was on the main trading street of the pack’s central market.
“And these are from the Silvermoon Pack.” Nell flipped to another page. “Luna Helena arranged for you to receive three additional shops as part of your marriage settlement.”
I studied the addresses. Again, two were unremarkable. But one caught my attention. It was located near the healer’s district. Prime location for selling medicinal supplies.
“Most of them are currently rented out to various merchants,” Nell continued. “The rental income is deposited into your account monthly.”
“What about the one on Healer’s Row?” I tapped the address. “Is that one rented?”
Nell checked her notes. “Yes, Young Madam. To an herbalist. The lease expires in two months.”
Two months. That was cutting it close, but workable.
“Send Ash to inspect the property,” I ordered. “I want to know its condition. And find out if the current tenant would be willing to end the lease early. Offer compensation if necessary.”
Nell looked curious but didn’t question me. “Yes, Young Madam. Right away.”
She hurried off to deliver the instructions.
I leaned back in my chair, my mind already racing ahead. If I could reclaim that shop, I could use it as a base for my activities. A place to prepare medicines and treatments away from prying eyes. Somewhere no one would think to look for a shaman hiding in plain sight.
The plan was coming together.
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Seraphina’s Point of View
I couldn’t believe my luck.
Luna Helena had stopped Dominic’s treatments. Just like that. No more weekly visits from Physician Aldric. No more pretending to hope for a recovery that would never come.
This was wonderful news.
Without treatment, Dominic would deteriorate faster. His body would give out within weeks instead of months. And then Bastian would finally be named heir.
Everything we had worked for was falling into place.
I practically ran to Lady Margot’s residence to share the news.
“Lady Margot!” I burst through the door without knocking. “You won’t believe what I just heard!”
Margot and Vivienne were seated in the parlor, sipping tea. They both looked up at my entrance.
“What is it, child?” Margot set down her cup. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Better than a ghost.” I was grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. “Luna Helena has stopped Dominic’s treatments. No more physicians. No more healing sessions. They’ve given up on him completely!”
I expected smiles. Congratulations. Maybe even a toast to celebrate.
Instead, Margot’s face went white.
Then red.
Then purple with rage.
“WHAT?!”
I stumbled back, startled by her reaction. “I… I thought you would be pleased…”
“Pleased?” Margot shot to her feet, her teacup shattering on the floor. “Who authorized this? Who told them to stop the treatments?”
“I don’t know. Luna Helena decided—”
“That foolish woman!” Margot was pacing now, her hands clenched into fists. “Does she have any idea what she’s done?”
I looked at Vivienne, hoping for an explanation. But Bastian’s mother looked equally alarmed.
“We need to fix this,” Vivienne said, rising from her seat. “Immediately.”
I didn’t understand. For months, they had been wishing for Dominic’s death. Praying for it. Scheming to hasten it. Why would they be angry that his treatments had stopped?
“Lady Margot,” I ventured carefully. “Isn’t this what we wanted? Without treatment, Dominic will die faster—”
“You stupid girl!” Margot whirled on me. “You don’t understand anything, do you?”
I flinched at her tone.
But before I could ask more questions, Margot was already storming toward the door.
“Come,” she snapped. “We’re going to see Luna Helena right now.”
_________
Ivy’s Point of View
I was reviewing the shop documents when Nell burst back into the room.
“Young Madam! There’s trouble at Luna Helena’s residence!”
I was on my feet instantly. “What kind of trouble?”
“Lady Margot stormed in with Vivienne and Miss Seraphina. They’re screaming at Luna Helena about something. The servants are saying it’s chaos.”
I didn’t wait for more details. I grabbed my shawl and hurried toward Luna Helena’s residence, my guards falling into step behind me.
I could hear the shouting before I even reached the door.
“How dare you make this decision without consulting anyone!” Margot’s shrill voice pierced through the walls. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
I pushed through the entrance and found exactly what I expected.
Margot stood in the center of the room, her face contorted with fury. Vivienne flanked her on one side, Seraphina on the other. Luna Helena sat in her chair, looking bewildered and increasingly angry.
“I don’t understand why you’re so upset,” Luna Helena said coldly. “Just days ago, you were demanding that we accept Dominic’s fate. You said he was as good as dead. You pushed for Bastian to be named heir immediately.”
“That’s different!”
“How? Explain it to me, Margot. Because from where I’m sitting, it seems like you should be celebrating.”
Margot sputtered but couldn’t form a coherent response.
The commotion had drawn Alpha Alaric from his study. He appeared in the doorway, his expression thunderous.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Margot spun to face him. “Alpha! Why have you stopped Dominic’s treatments? This is outrageous!”
Alpha Alaric’s eyes narrowed. “My decisions regarding my son are none of your concern.”
“But the physicians—”
“Have done nothing but fail for six months.” His voice was ice. “I see no reason to continue wasting resources on treatments that don’t work.”
“You can’t just give up!” Margot’s voice had taken on a desperate edge. “You have to keep trying! The treatments must continue!”
“Why?” Alpha Alaric stepped closer, his presence filling the room. “Why are you so invested in my son’s medical care, Margot? A week ago, you couldn’t wait for him to die.”
Margot opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
Nothing came out.
The tension in the room was suffocating.
That’s when Margot’s eyes landed on me.
Standing in the doorway. Watching the chaos unfold.
Her expression twisted with sudden recognition. Sudden rage.
“You!” She pointed at me like I was a criminal. “This is your doing, isn’t it? You manipulated them! You convinced Luna Helena to stop the treatments!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Liar!” Margot snapped her fingers at one of her maids. “Teach this insolent girl a lesson! Show her what happens when she interferes in matters above her station!”
The maid hesitated for only a second. Then she lunged toward me, hand raised to strike.
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