Rana's carriage was really ornate both inside and out. On the exterior, it was a vibrate purple with red trims and golden lanterns. On the inside, it was painted yellow and had exotic looking bottles and dried plants hanging from the ceiling. Everywhere Primrose looked, there was some treasure or antique. The whole place smelled terrific like some sort of complex potpourri that Primrose could place or locate. At the far end of the carriage was a large mattress covered with pillows and thick blankets. A small wooden table was low to the carriage center floor, where Rana asked them to sit down. After sitting, Rana pulled mix-matched cups out of a cabinet and generously pours in some red liquid from a bottle she picked at random from her ceiling. Primrose took a small sniff of the fluid. It had an earthy woody scent.
Rana noticed her confusion," It's a type of tea called Rooibos. I find it a pleasant evening drink. If you would prefer something more... substantial, I have several kinds of wines and spirits."
"No, no, the tea is fine," Primrose said, taking a quick sip and finding the drink delicious and refreshing.
"You and your exotic beverages," Malik said wistfully taking a deep sip," how long has it been since I sat down for one of your drinks."
"2 years four months and 17 days, Mr. Too good to write his family," Rana said crisply as she sat down, making Malik crouch down.
He laughed nervously," You know how it gets when you travel, and it's so hard to find a post office." he said casually.
"Oh, of course, but let's put that conversation to the side for now," Rana said with a cold smile," we will be returning to it, though."
Malik visibly paled and moved to get closer to Primrose. Primrose couldn't help smiling at this sweet familial moment. This kind of playful banter was just like she always imagined families had with each other.
Rana took a sip of her tea," Okay, let me hear this long story about how an ex-Rose knight and a wizard ended up traveling together."
Malik explained the whole situation from the start.
"So I am to understand that you two "accidentally" entered into a soul bond where if you two don't have sex in the next week or two, Malik will die," Rana said after Malik filled them in on their situations. She looked utterly distressed with tears filling her eyes.
"If we can't get to MT Annapuna and do the unbinding ritual." Primrose said," We need your help to get there on time. Please lend us your assistance."
Rana didn't say anything for a moment then laid her hand on Primrose's," Of course I will. There is nothing I wouldn't do for Malik." she said with a reassuring smile.
"Thank you so much! Don't worry about me being dead weight while we travel, I will gladly help out with whatever I can." Primrose said.
"Think nothing of it, Primrose," Rana said," While you travel with us, consider yourself part of the trope and any member of the trope is a member of my family. You're first job as a trope member is to go and bring Ashe and Aadril here so I can fill them in the situation. You'll find them in the front of the procession near a large white horse."
Primrose nodded and jumped out of the cart. After a few minutes pass, Rana punched Malik in the face.
"Ow, that really hurt Rana," Malik said, clutching his cheek.
"Do I look like I care? How could you lie to that girl like that," Rana shouted at him, "You and I both know there is no serving a soul bond other than death."
Malik stared at the floor, "Well, I thought it would only be temporary. I figured I could lay on the charm, and she'd be mine within the week, but...it didn't work out that way."
"Obviously not," Rana said and sighed," look, I have a potent aphrodisiac we can mix it into her food and let nature take it course."
"No!" Malik shouted, the force of his voice shocked Rana. He quickly lowered his voice," No, I will not take advantage of her like that. You know that would go against everything I am."
"But you'll die otherwise." Rana's voice broke, and the tears that had been hanging in her eyes fell.
Malik hugged his sister," Rana, please understand. I can't and won't do that to her. I'd rather die."
It took her a moment, but Rana nodded," Okay, okay, we won't do that, but what exactly is your plan here, Malik. Because within two weeks, you'll reach MT Annapuna, and she'll find out you've been tricking her this whole time and definably not fuck you. Actually, now that I think about it, how have you been able to lie to her."
"By leaving somethings out, I told her there was a ritual that prevented us from dying, and some could consider sex a ritual. So if we had sex on the MT Annapuna, we would be doing a ritual that prevented my death. I've been cautious in my responses to her question about it, and she doesn't know enough about magic to question me."
"She will not forgive this betrayal once she finds out. Even though we only had a quick conversation, she does not seem like someone who easily forgives liars."Rana said.
"The plan is for her to never find out. If she has sex with me, she'll forget all about the ritual and agree to be mine forever," Malik said.
"So, you do have a plan?" Rana asked.
"I know that she already likes me. She told me as much while she had a fever, but something is holding her back from being with me," Malik said," While we're out in the forest, I have to take a passive role cause I can't afford to use my magic and I can't fight."
"And you're physically weak," Rana added.
Malik glared at her," and I'm physically weak. Thanks, Rana, but I thought that here I could show off my good sides and make her fall in love with me." he said.
"Fall in love? Don't you just need her to have sex with you?" Rana asked.
"Um yeah, I meant to fall into bed with me. I-I have no idea why I would say, love." Malik said, laughing nervously.
"You're in love with her, aren't you." Rana laughing uproariously the absolute absurdity of this situation becoming too much for her.
"No, shut up. I don't love her," he said quickly," what would be the point in that there's no way she could feel that way for me."
Rana stopped laughing," Malik..." she said softly, reaching out a hand.
Malik jerked his body away," Rana, you know what happened when I try to have a real loving relationship. It doesn't work for people like me. Even if I try the only kind of person who would agree to be with me like that are sick in the head," he said softly, not looking up from the ground," I'm just confused cause I can't be aroused by anyone else now. It's just confusion."
Primrose isn't the only one who has things holding them back.
"Riiiiiight confusion... that makes sense," Rana said, knowing first hand how defensive Malik could get while talking about 'that person,'" so that "friend" thing is also part of your plan."
"No!" Malik exclaimed," We're actually friends. Wait till you get to know her, Rana. I'm sure you guys will be fast friends too. She's smart, kind, and freaky strong. I've literally seen her knock out a guy with her bare friends."
Rana sighed his mushiness already giving her all that she needed to know," Kay Malik no need to fear your big sister is here. I will make it my personal mission to set you guys up together."
Malik's eyes brightened, and he pulled his sister into a big hug.