25-104

EP.104 [Vivian Invites Eugene to Her Bedroom.] 

"I was just about to bring that up myself, Miss Vivian," Eugene said. 

"Oh, is that so? Then I apologize for interrupting, Commander Antonio. But as you know, I’m the type who feels most comfortable handling these things personally," Vivian replied. 

As soon as she entered the tent, Vivian pointed directly at Eugene, prompting Antonio to gently calm her down. 

‘I got a little too worked up without realizing it. I thought Commander Antonio might listen to Jeanne and say something different, so I jumped in.’ 

Normally, as Vivian herself says, she prefers to handle things directly, but only for internal guild matters. She’s not the type to overstep with collaborators unless it’s necessary. In other words, what she just said to Antonio was a bluff. She cut in before Jeanne could respond. 

Glance. 

Vivian, calming her slightly excited state, cast a subtle glance at someone. 

The person she glanced at was, of course, Jeanne. 

‘That’s quite the expression you’ve got, Jeanne.’ 

Jeanne was visibly flustered. To a third party, it might have seemed normal, but to Vivian, it was clear: Jeanne’s eyes were anxious, and she was deeply unsettled inside. 

Seeing Jeanne’s expression, Vivian’s eyes filled with certainty. Two days earlier, Vivian had watched Jeanne and Eugene through a telescope. Since then, she hadn’t met them up close, but she’d seen them together in passing. From her perspective, Jeanne and Eugene were clearly more than just colleagues. Vivian wanted to confirm this, and now she was satisfied. 

‘There it is...!’ 

Jeanne, who had been looking toward Antonio, immediately noticed Vivian’s sidelong glance and caught on to her intent. 

"I’ve shown Commander Antonio a lot of trust so far, but given the current situation, I can’t do that this time. The security system has been breached too seriously," Vivian said, quickly turning her gaze back to Antonio. 

Vivian’s intentions weren’t pure, but she had her reasons. As the head of a major guild, she explained her logic and authority convincingly. 

"I have no excuse, Miss Vivian. This has happened twice now, so I can’t offer any defense if you say you can’t trust the Iron Cross Knights," Antonio replied, bowing his head apologetically. 

Normally, someone from the Iron Cross Knights would be Vivian’s bodyguard. But after two security breaches under their watch, it was clear that internal personnel couldn’t be trusted. So, the most reliable option was an outsider: someone from the Red Fox Mercenary Band. That’s why Vivian chose Eugene Schneider, the band’s assault captain. 

"From what I’ve seen, Captain, you don’t have much to do in your usual role right now, while the others are very busy. So I think it’s most reasonable for you to be my bodyguard," Vivian continued. 

Currently, the quest mainly involved holding a position, so Eugene had little to do as assault captain. In fact, he’d spent most of the past two days acting as Jeanne’s bodyguard, which is why Vivian had seen them together so often. 

‘She was smart as a kid, and she still is. No wonder she runs a huge guild,’ Eugene thought, watching Vivian methodically tighten the screws on Jeanne, the Red Fox Mercenary Band’s leader. 

Jeanne felt the pressure and could only click her tongue. ‘Honestly, I could just say “screw it, for the morale of our band, the assault captain should stay close,” but...’ 

Not everything in life is logical or goes according to plan. Sometimes, emotions matter more. 

So Jeanne wasn’t completely out of options. 

But  

‘If we do this, our band will be directly linked to the massive Pieta Guild! This is no joke. The support level from Pieta is incredible, and now our Red Fox Mercenary Band could benefit from it? Plus-level quests really are different... No wonder Blackstone bands lobby so hard for them...’ 

The potential benefits for the Red Fox Mercenary Band were enormous. 

A link with a major guild is every mercenary’s dream having a powerful noble house or a huge guild as a patron. If Eugene protected Vivian’s life in this key situation, that dream would come true. Naturally, the other members’ eyes sparkled with hope, unaware of the internal drama. 

"Let’s do it. Our assault captain will be Miss Vivian’s bodyguard," Jeanne finally agreed, sensing the team’s excitement. 

Vivian responded with a meaningful, layered statement: "Thank you for your courageous decision, Captain Jeanne. Our Pieta Guild’s motto is to repay kindness tenfold and return enmity tenfold. I’ll make sure to reward today’s decision accordingly." 

Smile... 

Vivian’s words were ambiguous and loaded with meaning, expressing her gratitude for Jeanne’s acceptance. 

‘Wow... Is this really a 19+ melodramatic romance fantasy?’ Eugene thought, watching the intense scene unfold. Every word and glance felt like something out of a morning soap opera. As a party to the situation, he wanted to say something, but the depth of the grudge between the two women was overwhelming. 

"Don’t worry. Honestly, I think Vivian’s behavior is suspicious too. But who am I? I’m not the type to fall for that. I’ll just do my job," Eugene reassured Jeanne after the decision was made. Now, as Vivian’s bodyguard, he had to move his quarters near hers. Before heading over, he met with Jeanne to comfort her. 

"Yeah, it’s suspicious," Jeanne agreed, nodding deeply, arms crossed. 

‘She’s too proud of her imperial family background to attack like this. Has her personality changed since becoming a guild leader?’ Jeanne wondered. She couldn’t understand why Vivian, who had always been proud and self-assured, would act like this over a man. It made no sense. 

"And I’ll come by often, whenever I can. I’ll only be on guard duty when she goes out. When she’s home, her pet Siakan usually does it," Eugene said, trying to reassure Jeanne, not realizing she was worried about more than just his safety. 

"Hmm..." Jeanne looked up at Eugene, her expression thoughtful. 

"Honestly, I was really upset earlier, but now I feel different," she said, her words a bit mysterious. 

‘Did Jeanne lose her mind from feeling so helpless?’ Eugene wondered, puzzled. 

"It’s more than trust I’m actually looking forward to seeing how you’ll handle what we promised. If you think about it, a guy like you is bound to attract a few women," Jeanne said. After all, things had gotten complicated with Mina, and now, after everything with Jeanne, Vivian was back in the picture. Jeanne felt something more than just jealousy an odd sense of anticipation. 

"Trust your instincts, Eugene, and go for it. Like I said, I’ll always be here for you, no matter what path you take. That’s how much I love you," Jeanne said, giving him a bright, innocent smile, as if she’d found some new understanding. 

‘Did we really make that promise? Is this for real?’ Eugene thought, feeling a bit dazed by Jeanne’s unwavering faith in him. 

‘Maybe I’m starting to understand Jeanne’s reaction...’ 

It felt like a gladiator heading into battle. But, surprisingly, the next few days as Vivian’s bodyguard were nothing like Eugene expected. 

‘When she picked me as her bodyguard, it seemed like she’d make a move right away, but she’s just been working hard. She’s been busy persuading and rallying other guilds scared of Tyrannos.’ 

When she was fighting with Jeanne, Vivian seemed like a femme fatale from a soap opera, but now she was all business. Eugene, like Jeanne, wondered why she’d acted so melodramatic before. 

"This way, Miss Vivian. I’ll walk on this side. Even if you know these merchants, it’s not good to let them get too close," Eugene said, diligently performing his duties and consulting Ivan for advice. 

"Thank you, Captain Eugene," Vivian replied with a bright smile and a polite nod. 

‘Is this what it’s like? Jeanne’s mental collapse when someone’s eyes suddenly change from friendly to demonic?’ Eugene thought, finding Vivian’s duality fascinating. She was completely different when Jeanne was around. With his thirty years of life experience, Eugene didn’t sense any pretense in her current behavior. He even wondered if she had multiple personalities. 

‘Oh... is it finally happening?’ 

About four days later, the moment Eugene’s curiosity had been building toward finally arrived. 

"You’re here, Captain Eugene. Thank you for answering my call so late at night." 

Vivian had summoned Eugene to her bedroom late at night.