The Million-Dollar Heart

After the photo shoot, Vivienne was left speechless.

Out of the dozen people, she and her mentor, Dawson, stuck out like sore thumbs.

And of course, they had been placed right in the middle.

Like two overly festive "clowns" in a sea of subtlety.

The rest of the group, however, lit up at the sight of the photo, eagerly asking for copies.

Dawson, ever the eccentric, and Vivienne, not much for frivolities, made this gathering a first for their group, Emerald Mountain. This photo was, in a way, their "family portrait." Dawson glanced at the photo now set as his screensaver, nodding in approval, "Leopold, well done, lad. Much appreciated!"

"I'll have to get this printed and hung by my bed. Leopold, you've outdone yourself this time."

Leopold beamed with pride.

Seeing the leftover tear streaks on Leopold's face from the ceremony, Griffin's heart softened. She passed him a tissue under the table, "Here, wipe it off before the others start teasing." Finnian, overhearing, let out a hearty laugh, "Oh, come on, we all know Leopold's strengths. Nothing we haven't seen before."

Leopold's cheeks flushed, "Master, could you not bring up my past blunders today, especially not in front of Griffin!"

Finnian laughed even harder, "Alright, alright."

A student grows, and pride must be preserved.

But as a mentor, Finnian felt certain responsibilities, especially with Leopold being the first among them to get married. He had to share some wisdom.

"Leopold's partner..."

Griffin straightened up, ready to listen, "Yes, Master?"

hesitate to call me if you need. Of all my students, Leopold is the most guileless-naive, to put it bluntly. If he ever gives you trouble, don't hold back. A good scolding or a visit from Vivienne and me will set him straight, ensuring he treats

nodded in agreement, solidifying her

other mentors joined in the

in Leopold's phone. Any issues, just reach out. If

man from Emerald Mountain should be a gentleman at heart and a helper at home. If Leopold ever slacks

for assigning him all household

the first time, understanding why Leopold was the way he was. Percival, going a step further while serving Vivienne some food, casually mentioned, "Step out of line, and it's demotion." Leopold

was much

not a mission to

made him wonder if they remembered he was

found a new use for the tissues, not for

said, "Thank you, Master, Vivienne, and all my brothers-in-law. You might have heard of me; I'm straightforward. I

downed her glass of strong spirits in one

stop her in time, shocked

was strong spirits, not something one should simply

for Vivienne and Percival,

glares turned

for twenty years and was so understanding?

continued, Leopold was soon too drunk to hold his

on their own drinks and conversations. Percival, ever attentive to Vivienne, sampled dishes, ensuring nothing

nodded, offering him some of

replied, accepting the food directly from her hand,

party's focus, Leopold and Griffin were eventually called away, leaving Leopold regretting not finishing his

Griffin's support, he managed, a testament to the strong bonds formed