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From Dolce, With Love - Episode 10
тна last episode | Episode 10
Akira: (She tried to poison Owen, and then tried to get him to personally kill her... No doubt her feelings are as passionate as they are genuine, but she...)
Owen: You truly irritate me.
Owen's footsteps resounded in the room as he came to a halt in front of Noelle.
Owen: Like you said, I could kill you without even lifting a finger.
But tell me — what's so entertaining about killing someone who wants to die?
His mismatched eyes shone bright with clarity.
Owen: What I feel now is no different from what I felt back then. The moment I killed that man, the way your cheeks grew rosy made me sick to the stomach..
So I won't kill you. I won't let you die the way you desire.
His frame was illuminated from the back by the cool neon lighting of the room. Coldly, Owen drove in another verbal stake.
Noelle tightly bit her lips. Her chocolate-coloured eyes wavered. All she could do was stare up at Owen, numbly.
Owen: Well, if you still want to die so badly, how about you ask that guy right here? It'll be over quicker than if you kept pestering me.
Mithra: Sure, I'll do it. Blowing your head right off your neck seems like a good aftermeal exercise.
Mithra's reply was calm as ever as he chewed on a chunk of golem tentacle. But all it did to Noelle was make her more and more despondent as she shook her head.
Noelle: ...... There's no meaning to it if it's not Owen who does it.
What Noelle wants is for the one she loves to kill her. Just like how the dear Doctor was killed by Noelle herself......
Shino: Well, in that case, you should just give up on Owen.
Shino too, came to stand in front of Noelle after wading his way through golem remains. He jerked his thumb at Owen, and elaborated further.
Shino: Besides, what’s so good about this guy anyway? He’s a bully, he’s cranky, and he’s never got anything nice to say.
He only has fun when he’s giving other people hell. You’d be better off without him.
[ Mithra laughs. ]
Mithra: Ahaha, you got ripped apart.
Owen: Hey, what're you laughing at.
Noelle: How can you… Absolutely not! I don’t accept any of this!!
You of all people should know best! There's NO WAY you can just change preferences at the drop of a hat, like, 'Oh, the weather's been cold and dreary recently so let's pass on gelato and start loving cake instead,' that makes NO SENSE!?
Faust: Well...... Indeed, you can't really change up your preferences just because of some external reason or other.
Nero: Well, if it were up to me, I'd go for cake to be honest... I mean, I think it's kinda amazin' how she doesn't even settle for less even after she’s been put through the wringer.
Figaro: Hey, you guys, how about coming to a compromise? I think that's a good idea.
Even after a hundred years, climate change will make the whole world grow warmer, but I bet Owen would still be just as cold as he is now.
Noelle: B-But... Noelle has nothing else! There's nothing but Owen that she likes!
My dear Doctor has long since been turned to stone, too...
Dejectedly, Noelle hung her head. I tried to find the right words to say, but none came to mind. It was then that Rustica approached us from the side.
Rustica: I don't suppose you'd consider the things Dr Dolce left you? Such as this workshop, his research, and all these sweets... I believe you do like them, don't you?
Noelle: Huh...?
Noelle's long eyelashes fluttered at Rustica's question. She seemed to realise something in that instant, and it showed in her expression as Rustica continued on, smiling kindly at her.
Rustica: For example, I have been searching for my bride. She is my one true love, and I believe we are fated to be.
But at the same time, I spend my days playing the harpsichord, admiring paintings, and having fun at tea parties with Chloe. It's because I love doing these things too.
None of that is directly related to my search for my missing bride, but... by spending time doing things I enjoy, each passing day brings me closer to the day of our reunion.
Chloe: ...... Yeah! Taking the scenic route around, stopping to smell the roses... I think these are all important things to keep in mind too!
After all, we wizards live really long lives. It'll be a waste if we were to squander it by not doing what we love!
Rustica: How about doing like we did, and simply choose to wait it out until the fated moment arrives where your wish will be granted?
Noelle glanced downward, seemingly conflicted at Rustica and Chloe's collective advice. It was then that I realised that the tears she'd been shedding had since stopped.
Noelle: Such a thing... I'd never once considered such a thing...
I'd stayed back at the Doctor's workshop and continued his research, all for the sake of having Owen kill me one day...
But... Maybe... Maybe Noelle liked all of that, too.
With fresh eyes, she glanced around the workshop as if she were looking upon a brand-new thing. This was the workshop that Dr Dolce had built for Noelle's sake.
The look in her eyes inspired me, and I blurted out:
Akira: It... It's just a wild guess of mine, but I think you do like it all!
All I could think of was the forest so carefully cultivated in the garden grounds that led up to the residence. It was fun traversing the forest path filled with creepy yet mysterious but also tasty treats.
Akira: The sweets we savoured in the garden were all really delicious!
There's a certain something to them unlike other sweets I've had... I'm pretty sure that those aren't creations that just anyone can whip up!
And those golems you had — they were definitely the fruit of some really tough research, right?
I mean, you could say that all of these were for Owen and only Owen, but... I think that if you didn't really enjoy putting everything together, you couldn't have kept at it for as long as you have.
Noelle: Did I enjoy it......
Noelle's gaze wavered. She seemed lost. She blinked, and peeked just a little at Owen.
Noelle: ...... Um, Owen? What do you think?
Owen: Well, I don't know. Figure it out yourself.
Noelle: ...... Come to think of it, aren't your eyes different colours from when we first met? You only have one eye of bloody red left.
Owen: It took you that long to notice? Anyway, I'm free to have whatever colour eyeball I want sitting in my sockets.
Noelle: You're right... The other colour is a lovely shade too. It's just like honey and looks yummy.
Owen had replied to Noelle nonchalantly as he continued to lick cream off his fingertips. Like before, he didn't bother sparing Noelle even one glance.
Yet, she seemed to continue to yearn for Owen. Her gaze wavered again, but it persistently followed Owen and his movements.
Akira: (It can’t be easy to just swap out your favourite idol, or to collect new ones, or to just stop caring about yours altogether… You can’t control love like that……)
Mithra: Some people have acquired tastes. I came here partially because I was bored, and all I got was being overrun by sickly sweet stuff. I feel like I'll get heartburn.
Figaro: Well... It's also for the better that she continues to be madly in love with Owen instead of potentially harming someone else.
Figaro shrugged. Then, he chuckled.
Figaro: Love is a dangerous thing to play with. It could be the difference between a delightful death and a Deathly Delight.
[ Dr Dolce's Residence - Forest Path ]
After that, we received lots of souvenirs to bring home from Noelle. We left the workshop soon after ensuring that none of the sweets were laced with poison.
She gave us tons of sweets, as if she were trying to make up for the trouble she caused… or not.
'Noelle will prepare more yummy sweets like these, and Noelle will always be waiting here. So please come visit Noelle sometimes, okay?'
'And if you feel like it then, KILL ME~!'
Well, there was that message Noelle left Owen too.
Akira: (She stayed resolute right till the bitter end...)
Chloe: With this much of everything, we'll be able to hand out lots of sweets to everyone back at the manor!
[ Shino CG ]
Shino: Yeah. I got lots of stuff Heath might like right here with me.
There's nutty macarons and apricot financiers... The orangettes growing in the forest were tasty too, but I didn't find any back in the workshop.
Nero: Well, guess who has the recipe for that. She even handed over the ingredients for it, and then some.
The recipe uses lots of ingredients we can't normally get though, so I can't be makin' multiple servings of it. But I'll make sure everyone gets one helping.
Akira: Oh yeah, the cookies we had along the way to the workshop were really tasty! I'd like to have some of those too when we're back at the manor, please.
Rustica: What about you, Mithra? Have you decided on what you're getting Mitile and the others?
Mithra: Yes. I got other stuff Tiletta liked to eat besides those eyeball desserts.
She used to call these 'the devil's food' ever so often though.
Akira: The ‘devil’s’...!?
Chloe: Is that even okay to eat!? Will Mitile enjoy it...?
Figaro: Ah, I know what that is. It's chocolate. Tiletta loved chocolate.
Every time she had too much, she'd fly into a rage and exclaim, 'I’m fat! This is the devil’s food!'
Faust: Ah, I see… So that's the devil she speaks of...
Rustica: If these are made from the exact same recipe as Dr Dolce's creations, then they must be chocolat from his Deathly Delights! They were the most popular creation of the series, after all.
Not only was the flavour excellent, it melted right in your mouth, and each piece was a beautiful work of art. I think Mitile and the others would come to love every bite of it.
And in that vein, while we chatted brightly about this and that...
Owen opened up his own box of souvenirs, which was floating right beside him as he walked. He was munching away on the various sweets stowed within it.
In the box was a colourful variety of sweets made specially for Owen. One after another, Owen popped them into his mouth like a stream of neverending sweets.
Akira: (Pretty sure these aren't poisoned, but...)
I wondered if Noelle would continue her ways and keep sending Owen sweets laced with poison.
Akira: ...... Owen. If Noelle san continues to send you poisoned sweets, what would you do?
Are you going to keep eating them like you have been? Or are you going to reject them...
Owen: I'll eat them all the same.
Owen replied, like it was most natural to do so. He selected his next piece of confection to chew on out of the floating selection, and he continued speaking.
Owen: They don't taste half-bad, and a poison of this level is irrelevant to me anyway.
And even if something did happen, I can die and come back just fine.
Akira: You ... may have a point, but still...
Owen: What? What's with that face.
Akira: I mean... Owen, it might be something weird to say to you, but I'd like it if you could take better care of your body, maybe?
I know you're strong and hardy and all of that, but if possible, I wish you would just stop dying over and over.
I told him exactly what was on my mind, and he laughed breathily.
His laughter was sweet and playful, but dangerous. It was whimsical and arrogant and contrary and charming, just like how he was as a person.
Owen: There's no way a witch of her prowess can even dream of killing me even after many centuries.
Well, if you're going to say things like that though, maybe I'll have you be my food taster.
Akira: Food ... taster, you say?
Owen nodded. His long eyelashes fluttered gently.
As if we were sharing sweet, sordid secrets, as if he were injecting a poison that could melt down all my bones, he whispered:
[ Owen CG ]
Owen: I shall share with you all the sweets that person gives me, only with you.
Every bite would be an exhilarating thrill. You’d never know which morsel of sinful sweetness might be your last. I’ll allow you to savour it.
Through the silvery, ashen grey strands of his hair, I could see Owen’s eyes. He was smiling, a bit dangerously.
Owen: I’ll put you to work until you’re numb and mute from the poison. Well, Kenja sama?
I was certain that I was just shown something that would put up a good fight against Dr Dolce's Deathly Delights.
It was something you’d long for if you’d even seen it once. That look he gave me was poisonous, but it was still the sweetest thing I had ever seen.
Akira: (She tried to poison Owen, and then tried to get him to personally kill her... No doubt her feelings are as passionate as they are genuine, but she...)
Owen: You truly irritate me.
Owen's footsteps resounded in the room as he came to a halt in front of Noelle.
Owen: Like you said, I could kill you without even lifting a finger.
But tell me — what's so entertaining about killing someone who wants to die?
His mismatched eyes shone bright with clarity.
Owen: What I feel now is no different from what I felt back then. The moment I killed that man, the way your cheeks grew rosy made me sick to the stomach..
So I won't kill you. I won't let you die the way you desire.
His frame was illuminated from the back by the cool neon lighting of the room. Coldly, Owen drove in another verbal stake.
Noelle tightly bit her lips. Her chocolate-coloured eyes wavered. All she could do was stare up at Owen, numbly.
Owen: Well, if you still want to die so badly, how about you ask that guy right here? It'll be over quicker than if you kept pestering me.
Mithra: Sure, I'll do it. Blowing your head right off your neck seems like a good aftermeal exercise.
Mithra's reply was calm as ever as he chewed on a chunk of golem tentacle. But all it did to Noelle was make her more and more despondent as she shook her head.
Noelle: ...... There's no meaning to it if it's not Owen who does it.
What Noelle wants is for the one she loves to kill her. Just like how the dear Doctor was killed by Noelle herself......
Shino: Well, in that case, you should just give up on Owen.
Shino too, came to stand in front of Noelle after wading his way through golem remains. He jerked his thumb at Owen, and elaborated further.
Shino: Besides, what’s so good about this guy anyway? He’s a bully, he’s cranky, and he’s never got anything nice to say.
He only has fun when he’s giving other people hell. You’d be better off without him.
[ Mithra laughs. ]
Mithra: Ahaha, you got ripped apart.
Owen: Hey, what're you laughing at.
Noelle: How can you… Absolutely not! I don’t accept any of this!!
You of all people should know best! There's NO WAY you can just change preferences at the drop of a hat, like, 'Oh, the weather's been cold and dreary recently so let's pass on gelato and start loving cake instead,' that makes NO SENSE!?
Faust: Well...... Indeed, you can't really change up your preferences just because of some external reason or other.
Nero: Well, if it were up to me, I'd go for cake to be honest... I mean, I think it's kinda amazin' how she doesn't even settle for less even after she’s been put through the wringer.
Figaro: Hey, you guys, how about coming to a compromise? I think that's a good idea.
Even after a hundred years, climate change will make the whole world grow warmer, but I bet Owen would still be just as cold as he is now.
Noelle: B-But... Noelle has nothing else! There's nothing but Owen that she likes!
My dear Doctor has long since been turned to stone, too...
Dejectedly, Noelle hung her head. I tried to find the right words to say, but none came to mind. It was then that Rustica approached us from the side.
Rustica: I don't suppose you'd consider the things Dr Dolce left you? Such as this workshop, his research, and all these sweets... I believe you do like them, don't you?
Noelle: Huh...?
Noelle's long eyelashes fluttered at Rustica's question. She seemed to realise something in that instant, and it showed in her expression as Rustica continued on, smiling kindly at her.
Rustica: For example, I have been searching for my bride. She is my one true love, and I believe we are fated to be.
But at the same time, I spend my days playing the harpsichord, admiring paintings, and having fun at tea parties with Chloe. It's because I love doing these things too.
None of that is directly related to my search for my missing bride, but... by spending time doing things I enjoy, each passing day brings me closer to the day of our reunion.
Chloe: ...... Yeah! Taking the scenic route around, stopping to smell the roses... I think these are all important things to keep in mind too!
After all, we wizards live really long lives. It'll be a waste if we were to squander it by not doing what we love!
Rustica: How about doing like we did, and simply choose to wait it out until the fated moment arrives where your wish will be granted?
Noelle glanced downward, seemingly conflicted at Rustica and Chloe's collective advice. It was then that I realised that the tears she'd been shedding had since stopped.
Noelle: Such a thing... I'd never once considered such a thing...
I'd stayed back at the Doctor's workshop and continued his research, all for the sake of having Owen kill me one day...
But... Maybe... Maybe Noelle liked all of that, too.
With fresh eyes, she glanced around the workshop as if she were looking upon a brand-new thing. This was the workshop that Dr Dolce had built for Noelle's sake.
The look in her eyes inspired me, and I blurted out:
Akira: It... It's just a wild guess of mine, but I think you do like it all!
All I could think of was the forest so carefully cultivated in the garden grounds that led up to the residence. It was fun traversing the forest path filled with creepy yet mysterious but also tasty treats.
Akira: The sweets we savoured in the garden were all really delicious!
There's a certain something to them unlike other sweets I've had... I'm pretty sure that those aren't creations that just anyone can whip up!
And those golems you had — they were definitely the fruit of some really tough research, right?
I mean, you could say that all of these were for Owen and only Owen, but... I think that if you didn't really enjoy putting everything together, you couldn't have kept at it for as long as you have.
Noelle: Did I enjoy it......
Noelle's gaze wavered. She seemed lost. She blinked, and peeked just a little at Owen.
Noelle: ...... Um, Owen? What do you think?
Owen: Well, I don't know. Figure it out yourself.
Noelle: ...... Come to think of it, aren't your eyes different colours from when we first met? You only have one eye of bloody red left.
Owen: It took you that long to notice? Anyway, I'm free to have whatever colour eyeball I want sitting in my sockets.
Noelle: You're right... The other colour is a lovely shade too. It's just like honey and looks yummy.
Owen had replied to Noelle nonchalantly as he continued to lick cream off his fingertips. Like before, he didn't bother sparing Noelle even one glance.
Yet, she seemed to continue to yearn for Owen. Her gaze wavered again, but it persistently followed Owen and his movements.
Akira: (It can’t be easy to just swap out your favourite idol, or to collect new ones, or to just stop caring about yours altogether… You can’t control love like that……)
Mithra: Some people have acquired tastes. I came here partially because I was bored, and all I got was being overrun by sickly sweet stuff. I feel like I'll get heartburn.
Figaro: Well... It's also for the better that she continues to be madly in love with Owen instead of potentially harming someone else.
Figaro shrugged. Then, he chuckled.
Figaro: Love is a dangerous thing to play with. It could be the difference between a delightful death and a Deathly Delight.
[ Dr Dolce's Residence - Forest Path ]
After that, we received lots of souvenirs to bring home from Noelle. We left the workshop soon after ensuring that none of the sweets were laced with poison.
She gave us tons of sweets, as if she were trying to make up for the trouble she caused… or not.
'Noelle will prepare more yummy sweets like these, and Noelle will always be waiting here. So please come visit Noelle sometimes, okay?'
'And if you feel like it then, KILL ME~!'
Well, there was that message Noelle left Owen too.
Akira: (She stayed resolute right till the bitter end...)
Chloe: With this much of everything, we'll be able to hand out lots of sweets to everyone back at the manor!
[ Shino CG ]
Shino: Yeah. I got lots of stuff Heath might like right here with me.
There's nutty macarons and apricot financiers... The orangettes growing in the forest were tasty too, but I didn't find any back in the workshop.
Nero: Well, guess who has the recipe for that. She even handed over the ingredients for it, and then some.
The recipe uses lots of ingredients we can't normally get though, so I can't be makin' multiple servings of it. But I'll make sure everyone gets one helping.
Akira: Oh yeah, the cookies we had along the way to the workshop were really tasty! I'd like to have some of those too when we're back at the manor, please.
Rustica: What about you, Mithra? Have you decided on what you're getting Mitile and the others?
Mithra: Yes. I got other stuff Tiletta liked to eat besides those eyeball desserts.
She used to call these 'the devil's food' ever so often though.
Akira: The ‘devil’s’...!?
Chloe: Is that even okay to eat!? Will Mitile enjoy it...?
Figaro: Ah, I know what that is. It's chocolate. Tiletta loved chocolate.
Every time she had too much, she'd fly into a rage and exclaim, 'I’m fat! This is the devil’s food!'
Faust: Ah, I see… So that's the devil she speaks of...
Rustica: If these are made from the exact same recipe as Dr Dolce's creations, then they must be chocolat from his Deathly Delights! They were the most popular creation of the series, after all.
Not only was the flavour excellent, it melted right in your mouth, and each piece was a beautiful work of art. I think Mitile and the others would come to love every bite of it.
And in that vein, while we chatted brightly about this and that...
Owen opened up his own box of souvenirs, which was floating right beside him as he walked. He was munching away on the various sweets stowed within it.
In the box was a colourful variety of sweets made specially for Owen. One after another, Owen popped them into his mouth like a stream of neverending sweets.
Akira: (Pretty sure these aren't poisoned, but...)
I wondered if Noelle would continue her ways and keep sending Owen sweets laced with poison.
Akira: ...... Owen. If Noelle san continues to send you poisoned sweets, what would you do?
Are you going to keep eating them like you have been? Or are you going to reject them...
Owen: I'll eat them all the same.
Owen replied, like it was most natural to do so. He selected his next piece of confection to chew on out of the floating selection, and he continued speaking.
Owen: They don't taste half-bad, and a poison of this level is irrelevant to me anyway.
And even if something did happen, I can die and come back just fine.
Akira: You ... may have a point, but still...
Owen: What? What's with that face.
Akira: I mean... Owen, it might be something weird to say to you, but I'd like it if you could take better care of your body, maybe?
I know you're strong and hardy and all of that, but if possible, I wish you would just stop dying over and over.
I told him exactly what was on my mind, and he laughed breathily.
His laughter was sweet and playful, but dangerous. It was whimsical and arrogant and contrary and charming, just like how he was as a person.
Owen: There's no way a witch of her prowess can even dream of killing me even after many centuries.
Well, if you're going to say things like that though, maybe I'll have you be my food taster.
Akira: Food ... taster, you say?
Owen nodded. His long eyelashes fluttered gently.
As if we were sharing sweet, sordid secrets, as if he were injecting a poison that could melt down all my bones, he whispered:
[ Owen CG ]
Owen: I shall share with you all the sweets that person gives me, only with you.
Every bite would be an exhilarating thrill. You’d never know which morsel of sinful sweetness might be your last. I’ll allow you to savour it.
Through the silvery, ashen grey strands of his hair, I could see Owen’s eyes. He was smiling, a bit dangerously.
Owen: I’ll put you to work until you’re numb and mute from the poison. Well, Kenja sama?
I was certain that I was just shown something that would put up a good fight against Dr Dolce's Deathly Delights.
It was something you’d long for if you’d even seen it once. That look he gave me was poisonous, but it was still the sweetest thing I had ever seen.