Chapter 80: The Powerful Witch

**Thelma Zane’s Point of View** I was left in a state of confusion as I stared at Aldrich, trying to piece together the conversation and what had just occurred. It felt as if there were more beneath the surface, something deeper that I wasn’t fully understanding. Aldrich, ever calm and perceptive, seemed to sense my uncertainty. He leaned closer and spoke in a soft but deliberate tone, explaining the situation with precision. "When the southern Duke was in love with the pure white witch," he began, his voice steady, "the witch often made black tea cookies for him as gifts. Over time, these cookies became his favorite treat. He would never refuse them, no matter the circumstance—except today." I blinked, processing his words. The southern Duke’s odd refusal to partake in the cookies made more sense now, but I still didn’t quite grasp the full significance. Aldrich continued, reading the confusion in my eyes and elaborating. “This behavior is far from normal. It’s an extreme fo