25-112

EP.112 [Vivian Tamed by the Bad Boy Eugene Schneider] 

‘I’m curious. What kind of face will she show tomorrow? Will she fire me as her bodyguard?’ 

After returning to his quarters, Eugene finished his shower and lay down to sleep. 

There was no special schedule for tomorrow, but there would be the usual meeting: Vivian, her bodyguard (himself), Iron Cross Knights’ Antonio and Davis, and Red Fox Mercenary Band’s Jeanne and Ivan in attendance. 

Eugene was half-expecting, half-wondering how Vivian who had suffered extreme humiliation today would appear at the meeting. 

‘Honestly, I doubt she’ll go that far, but there might be some fallout. Can she even show up at the meeting properly? No matter how seasoned a guild leader Vivian is, it’s got to be tough.’ 

Yet Eugene’s expression was more than relaxed it was comfortable. After all, he’d confirmed Vivian’s absolute subordinate position toward him. Still, he figured there would be some aftereffects. 

With those thoughts, Eugene soon fell asleep. 

“Uuuh... Uuh... Uuuh...!” 

Vivian, too, after sitting dazed for a long time, eventually returned to her room. She barely managed to shower and then collapsed naked onto her bed, sobbing. Curled up in a fetal position, she looked utterly pitiful. 

‘I thought I’d finally found the light... I thought the light I’d lost had come back to me...’ 

As expected, Vivian wept over what Eugene had done to her. 

Vivian’s entire life had stopped at the moment she lost her father, Alexis. Even her seemingly unrelated role as Pieta Guild Leader was ultimately connected to that loss. She wanted to be a daughter her father would be proud of, to follow in his footsteps, and to keep remembering him. That vulnerability, those traumas and obsessions Vivian had worked hard not to reveal them. 

Her sharp, businesslike persona as guild leader was a mask to avoid being consumed by her trauma. In truth, the Vivian curled up and crying naked in bed was her real self. 

‘He was really different... Eugene’s eyes and tone were nothing like other barbarians...’ 

Just as Eugene had guessed, Vivian had sought comfort in someone who resembled her father. 

Of course, Vivian’s obsession was with black hair and a large physique the most distinctive features of her father, Alexis. She had high hopes for the barbarians she met in the western desert, even reading romance novels about a barbarian and a duke’s daughter. But Alexis’s true essence was not his rough body, but his warmth and kindness. Unable to find that in reality, Vivian had been satisfied with novels until Eugene Schneider brought it to life. 

‘He was so warm when he looked at Jeanne, the way he spoke...’ 

Of course, Eugene had never shown that warmth to Vivian herself just basic civility and professionalism. But from watching Eugene and Jeanne together, Vivian had seen it. Eugene treated Jeanne so well it was hard to believe he was a mercenary from a macho culture. His gaze toward her was pure honey. 

‘My father was always businesslike, but he’d smile and love me whenever I was near...’ 

If Eugene had shown her that warmth from the start, it might not have meant as much. What mattered most to Vivian was that he reminded her of her father. 

That’s why, while Eugene was cool and detached with her, she became obsessed watching him turn into a loving, gentle partner around Jeanne. Whenever she saw them together, her heart raced uncontrollably. For Vivian, it was like reliving the happiest time of her life, with her father. 

‘I wanted to have that too... to experience it again...’ 

She couldn’t help herself. Like a dying person seeing an oasis, she had to run toward it. Vivian had built the guild through her own efforts and clear boundaries between public and private life. But the moment she recognized Eugene’s light, her judgment was clouded by selfish desire. She knew he had a lover, but she wanted him anyway and rationalized it by thinking Jeanne was someone she had reason to resent. 

‘But Eugene... uuuh...!’ 

The result of abandoning her conscience was being thrown away like a dog. She’d given up her pride, stripped naked, and was treated as nothing more than a sex object. 

Squeeze...! 

Clench...! 

Vivian squeezed her eyes shut to stop the tears. At the same time, she clenched her hand around something Eugene Schneider’s handkerchief. 

“Hm. Strange. The guild leader is late to a meeting? She always keeps time like a knife.” 

By noon the next day, the secret trade quest’s representative meeting was scheduled. It was the most important meeting, where decisions were made and then simply announced to the full assembly. Yet Pieta Guild Leader Vivian had not arrived. Antonio, slightly concerned, voiced this to Davis. 

“I don’t think there’s much to worry about. I already went to see her, and she told me to go ahead. It seems she has a very personal matter, just as was relayed.” 

Having spent a lot of time with Vivian, Antonio’s question prompted Eugene to share what he knew. His role as Vivian’s bodyguard was hybrid closely guarding her when meeting outside parties, even having the authority to restrict her movements at times. 

But inside the camp, it was different. Eugene’s protection was passive, only acting at Vivian’s request, staying nearby to respond quickly if needed. So before the meeting, Eugene had a basic morning conversation with Vivian and relayed what she said to Antonio. 

“A personal matter! Hm... Hearing that again, it’s almost refreshing. It’s been a while since I felt something human from the guild leader.” 

Smile! 

Antonio smiled faintly at Eugene’s reminder. He felt a mix of admiration that Vivian might finally be taking some personal time at age 25, after such a harsh career and regret, realizing he too had expected her to always be perfect. 

‘Her mental strength is incredible. Honestly, I thought she’d cancel today’s meeting. I thought that’s why she called me this morning. Her eyes were swollen she must have needed time for the swelling to go down.’ 

Eugene, who knew the details, was impressed by Vivian’s resilience. He’d expected her to be shattered after what happened the previous night, maybe even to quit. But Vivian’s attitude hadn’t changed at all she’d just cried all night and had swollen eyes. 

Glance...? 

At that moment, Jeanne, sitting between Ivan and Eugene at the Red Fox Mercenary Band’s table, glanced at Eugene. 

‘Eugene, you seem lost in thought today. When you started this bodyguard job, you seemed fine, but now...’ 

Although Jeanne had left everything to Eugene, she’d been watching him closely for days. Today, he seemed different. 

“The guild leader is arriving!” 

At that moment, the Iron Cross Knights’ guard announced the entrance of Pieta Guild Leader Vivian. 

“I read too many documents yesterday. I didn’t get enough sleep, so my face was a mess. I had to fix that, so I’m a bit late. Please forgive me, everyone.” 

Taking her seat, Vivian bowed slightly to the quest representatives and apologized for her tardiness. The swelling in her eyes, which Eugene had seen that morning, was now completely gone thanks to a potion she’d obtained during her travels. 

“Fortunately, persuading the other guilds went well. Everyone signed the contracts again, and I made sure none will withdraw.” 

As the meeting began, Vivian reported on her recent achievements. 

“So I plan to start shipments within a few days. People’s minds are fickle even after double-checking, they could waver again. Now is the time to act.” 

The results were good. But Vivian, who had led the guild since her late teens, knew how quickly promises could change in a crisis. The current contracts were just anesthesia; the surgery had to be finished before it wore off. 

“If we keep going as we have, Tyrannos will expect it.” 

With the main phase about to begin, Antonio responded seriously. The Iron Cross Knights still didn’t know how Tyrannos had such good intel, so they had to assume even Vivian’s negotiations were being reported. 

“That’s what I think. That’s why I’m pushing for speed, Commander Antonio. I’ll send word to the local guilds right away.” 

Slide...! 

Feeling she’d made her point, Vivian stood up. As she did, something fell from inside her sleeve. 

‘Huh?’ 

As a representative, Eugene was watching the meeting closely, and he noticed what fell from Vivian’s sleeve, his eyes widening slightly.