Chapter 2: Marleeves.

It was a cold night in Marleeves. As no snow fell on the ground but the grass below crunched with pressure, it was a weird type of cold. Something you didn't see every winter, either. Dark gray skies fogged over as the moon peaked its way through the gray, puffy clouds. The moon shone a cream color and lit the dark world up just a tiny bit in the dark cold night.

Despite the cold and the darkness, a hooded figure walked slowly through the wood. She ducked through vines and walked over tree trunks each and every other step. A wolf's howl screeched through the frigid nights air just as a squeal from a raven sounded just overhead.

Monica, who was now referred to as Penelope in this life, paused quickly before she continued her way. Putting two fingers in her mouth and blowing quickly to make a high-pitched whistle noise through the crisp air, had gotten the attention of her pet, Kash.

A pitch black colored raven who had watched overhead till now had swung down as Monica rested her elbow outwards with her fist away from her chest. She smiled sweetly as the bigger than average raven sat on her forearm and rubbed his feather filled head on her chin and cheek.

"Ah- there you are Kash," She said softly, "Have you got anything for me?" She questioned as she ruffled his feathers and revealing a small tube of a strange golden liquid. Her eyes widened and she laughed,

'Perfect.' Penelope thought, her eyes turned serious before thanking Kash and setting way to the nearest village. "A tavern would do quite nicely." She quipped to her pet.

"You're right," Kash had replied, transforming into his human form and walking beside her before continuing. "However, i must beg of you master, please get a room with heating this time." He whined as his black eyes shone with tears and his bottom lip quivered. Penelope rolled her eyes without even looking at the overgrown man child. How was a six foot tall, sixteen year old so mature but so childish? She had wondered if she was truly older than him at times and at other times she had realized why she had forgotten his age. Maybe it was just puberty, she wondered.

"Ha~" she sighed, running a hand through her untamed hair, "You sure do know how to pout, don't you?" She teased.

"It's not my fault master is weak to cuteness and i just so happen know how to use my charms!" He fussed while making an upset face and crossing his arms. His shoulder length black hair whipped the other way as he turned his head with a pout.

Penelope laughed loudly before turning and seeing a sign that read, "Knotsville Three miles North."

"Since you have gotten the last of the products i need," Penelope said while Kash smiled brightly as he already knew he'd won, "I will get a room with heat." The raven jumped up and down, hugging Penelope before excitedly turning back into his bird form. Mind linking he would book the room and go ahead of her.

"Thank you, Kash." she had said as she was left to be with her thoughts.

Penelope sighed soundly as she walked with a timely pace, she wasn't in a rush this time around. It had been her 100th life already, why couldn't she take things slow if she wanted to? Especially since she felt it would go all too fast defeating her father once more again.

Monica had wanted vengeance...She wanted bloodshed. As badly as she wanted what she surely would have in the far future, she had to get through her obstacles right now before focusing on her revenge plan.

Her goal for right now was to meet a castle warlock that could return her to her first life. As she had only heard rumors of the magnificent wonders he could do, she wasn't sure if this was one of the limits of his power. She had wished with all her might before finally leaving to the forest covered corners of the Jezebelle Kingdom.

★☆★

One of Monica's privileges of being reborn so many times was the chances to learn one or two new skills in the lifetimes she had lived. As in other lives she had learned to do magic, book smarts, music, or medicines, this life she had chose to pick up the art of swordsmanship.

Monica would be a lying if she said she hadn't picked up a sword in her other 99 lives but no one had to know that this life. Even if she was considered a sword master at the age of 16 this life, she wouldn't brag on it and instead work harder for the goal of finding a way back to her first life and destroying her fathers duchy.

Its going to be a blast, Monica smiled slightly before sinking further into the heated water she bathed in.

As the requirements of a duchy being passed to one of the children produced in the marriage (usually the first child) were exceptionally high, Monica had a rather long time to study.

Just as she knew the language she spoke in her first life, she knew the ones they spoke overseas. Or just a completely different language than any that existed in her first life.

And seeing as Monica was the only child her parents pitiful marriage had produced, she doubted anyone would have a trial for the seat of the Duke.

The seat was rightfully hers.

'How can something be so close, yet so far?' Monica sighed with a frown as she got dressed for bed.

"Master, I've been wondering" Kash had questioned as he peered through tourism magazines with a confused face, "How will i know it's you this next life?"

"You just will," Monica had answered, "Plus, it's not like i've changed looks. Every life of mine i've looked the same."

"So masters been beautiful this whole time?" Kash asked innocently.

Monica smirked and ruffled his hair, "Stop trying to win my favor, crow."

Monica had realized she never changed looks after her third life. If it was her poor critical thinking skills or just her inability to pay attention, she didn't know. But, she could say that her second life was full of her depressed days.

Regret had came in ten fold with her being so close to victory all for something as stupid as death to sneak up against her and ruin it all.

'So close,' She thought before turning of her bedside lampshade and sleeping soundly for the small journey ahead of her.