"How fate can be funny sometimes. But I wonder, for what purpose did I appear in this world?"
It was just the two of them in the carriage. She knew that this was not the first time being alone together. But dang Catie, she did not want to be in a very awkward situation.
"So, Princess" He said her typical nickname which surprisingly broke the weird atmosphere.
"Yeah?"
"It's been a while, right?" His smile showed so much relief as he saw her. "You're pretty much a miracle."
"Believe me, I'm surprised as well"
"What are you going to do now?"
"Well…" She did not know what she could say to Lavi, but she thought he deserved to know.
"Amelia told me that someone wished for me like how I wished for you to be saved." She explained. "The problem was the person who gave that wish was incomplete and I might disappear eventually,"
"Wills, huh?" She knew that look. He was recording the things that she had said. She had seen that look during the time when Allen and Lenalee were saved by their Innocence.
"Just so you know" She continued. "The letters do not possess any Innocence"
"Then what are those letters?"
"I think in simple terms; it's forbidden magic" she concluded. "Lavi, this is not something to record. This is not part of the Holy War. Even Bookman knows this"
"Even Gramps?"
"Yeah, he said this is the history that was not supposed to be in this world." She slowly lowered her voice as she said these words. "I'm not supposed to be in this world"
"Princess…" He uttered.
Nicole was grateful that the carriage finally stopped. She could not take anymore of the difficult questions that Lavi was throwing at her. She wished that she just remained as Lyka, the mute girl who knew nothing about the world and that she could die peacefully. But woe, fate had other ideas for her.
"So, how did it go?" Catie asked as she was expecting good news.
"Catie…" Nicole slowly approached her junior. "Stop this, we're destroying the timeline."
"What?" Catie was confused. "Why? I thought you wanted to—"
"You think I wanted this? Catie, do you know how devastating my death was for him? Even more when I was dying in front of him?" She trembled as she explained. "I don't want to make him lose his position as a successor because of me."
"That's why I'm here! We can fix this!"
"And then what? Get the guy and live happily ever after?"
"But you love him"
"Yes, I never once denied it but who ever said that he loves me back?"
"But—"
"Catie, enough!" She pleaded. "No more…"
"Da-chan, you idiot!" Catie could not suppressed her emotions anymore and slapped Nicole on the face. The impact made Nicole tumble to the ground. As expected from a black belt in Aikido.
Lavi noticed that the princess was alone and on the ground. Something must have happened between her and Catie. He could not bear see her alone. He looked at his master as if he was asking permission. Bookman nodded and Lavi went towards her.
"Princess?" He called her but she avoided any eye contact with him. "What happened?"
"Ah, it's nothing" It was an obvious lie as she wiped her tear using the sleeves on her shirt. It was something that Nicole would do when she would try to be brave. He knew that she was hiding something from him. He knew those little actions she would do. Even so, he wanted to cheer her up.
"Come on" He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the direction of the nearby town. "Let's have some fun"
He smiled and dragged her away.
They arrived at the small town. Fortunately, they were having a celebration of the bountiful harvest of the town. Lavi pulled a snicker as he saw Nicole's eyes sparkle from excitement. It was a first time for Nicole since she arrived here in this world. When she was still an Exorcist, it was mission after mission with an occasional sickness. This was completely new to her.
They walked from one stall to another, they tried different snacks and drinks, and they looked at the different ornaments and decorations that were finely crafted for the occasion.
Lastly, they danced. They did not know the song; they did not even know the steps. Despite that, it was just him and her. That moment was for them and only for them.
Lavi wrapped his arms around her and whispered her name. Not the name Nicole, but the name Dahlia. Nicole never knew her name became so special until now. Unconsciously, she hugged her back.
She wished that this moment, that this dance would not end. That this would last forever. She looked at him. His smile, his eye, his voice, she loved every bit of it. Even if a part of her wanted him to love her back, she knew it was not meant to be. Her love would only cause conflict, especially when he would next Bookman.
"Lavi I- "Her voice squeaked, but she tried to be firm as possible. "I'm happy, this is one of the best days of my life"
That moment, she thanked the stars for the wonderful moment.
However, their happy moment shortly ended as she saw someone familiar. That long priestly coat, that circular glasses. It was the Cardinal. To confirm that, Lavi's hammer suddenly flutter into wings like it was communicating.
"Oh no…" she stuttered as Lavi noticed her complexion turning pale. She immediately grabbed his arm and tried to escape.
"Princess?"
"We gotta move! Now!" She shouted.
"There you are, Nicole." He appeared and stopped the both them. "I almost didn't recognize you"
"This feeling" Lavi sensed that he was like an Innocence Accomodator from the cardinal. Judging from what Nicole's reaction, he was someone who was more than just that.
"Apocryphos…" She was terrified. She did not know what to do as she shakenly held Lavi's hand.
"The Heiress and Bookman Junior" Their eyes widened as he uttered their so-called titles. "You both possessed they eyes we need."
"Get back, Princess" Lavi pushed her back and he was about to activate his hammer.
"No!" Nicole shouted and pulled him back. "Don't use Innocence!"
Without realizing it, Apocryphos grabbed them by the necks. His hand suddenly transformed into a pair of wings and suffocate them. "We'll put you to good use"
Wings began to appear from their eyes. Nicole knew this feeling for this was not the first time she had experienced this. She knew that he was going to peer through her mind that make her forget. She needed to think fast, or at least, to find another miracle.
She wasn't sure if she was the one who made the wish, but she sensed a burst of white light around them and an immense force pushing the Apocryphos away.
Nicole could barely stand up and she saw Lavi unconscious on the ground. Despite being exhausted, she immediately checked on him to see if he was still breathing.
"Lavi!" she gently slapped him on the cheek. "Please wake up!"
"Nicole…" The Apocryphos stood up and looked at her with menacing eyes. "You have defied me for the last time. I'll make sure everyone you love will forget about you… Starting with Junior there"
Nicole's eyes widened as she heard those words. She heard a groan from Lavi as he was about to wake up. He looked at her with a blank expression on his face.
"Who… Who are you?"
"Impossible…" She denied, "This is a bad joke, Lavi. Forgetting is an insult to the Bookman clan!"
"What are you talking about?!" He said. "How do you know me?!"
Her heart dropped. It was as if everything they've been through all those months suddenly disappeared in a flash. It hurt her seeing him like that.
"Nicole!"
She heard Catie drawing closer and closer. It was not long she saw them from the distance.
"Gramps! Amelia!" Lavi shouted. "Who is this girl?"
"What?" Bookman was surprised by his apprentice question. Observing the situation, he realized it was something to do with the ominous white figure which was standing in front of them. He knew what it was and stopped Catie and the others.
"Stay away, Bookman!" She shouted in her native language. She could not bare anyone forgetting about her. "It has the ability to manipulate-"
She could not finish her sentence as she felt a strong stab from the chest. She slowly looked down and saw that the Apocryphos stabbed her by transforming his hand into a sharp narrow pike.
"DA-CHI!" Catie shouted as she saw her friend in a bloody state. She tried to approach her, but she was stopped by Armando. "NO! PLEASE! DA-CHI!"
"Who do we have here?" The Apocryphos smirked as he looked at Catie, who was about to be her next target.
"Don't… you… dare!" Shaken, she was left with no choice. She took out her locked which was safely placed in her pocket. She closed her eyes and placed it on her chest.
"Nicole, no!" Amelia shouted as she tried to stop her, but it was too late.
The locket illuminated with a bright light and engulfed Nicole. Her eyes changed from brown to her usual blue and red eyes. Her smooth skin suddenly bore scars all over her body. Her appearance changed back when they first saw her.
"What have you done?" Amelia cried.
"I'm sorry, Amelia" Nicole gazed at her as she firmly pressed her wound. Apologetic but sincere, she bid her farewell.
"You…" Apocryphos remembered that appearance. He became resentful as he remembered how he failed to so-called 'saved' them.
"If you want me my eyes" She chanted her wish in an inaudible manner before she could finish her sentence. "Come and get it!"
The light surrounded all of them as the wish is being fulfilled.
"Angel, make sure we are separated from the Apocryphos as far as possible and keep Amelia and my friends safe." Nicole pleaded.
"Lavi, stop her!" Bookman shouted at him. Following his master's orders, Lavi immediately grabbed her arm.
It was then that people from the area all disappeared from the light.
