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?"

it bluntly. If he ever gives you trouble, don't hold

in agreement,

joined in the

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

Emerald Mountain should be a gentleman at heart and a helper at home. If Leopold ever slacks off, just one

assigning him all household duties even before his

understanding why Leopold was the way he was. Percival, going a step

was much

not a mission to Fariana

360-degree warning made him wonder if they remembered he was the

new use for the tissues, not

have heard of me; I'm straightforward. I genuinely love Leopold, and chasing him for twenty years proves it." "I'll treasure his virtues and work through his flaws together. I believe

downed her glass of strong spirits

her in

something

Vivienne and Percival,

glares

for twenty years and was so understanding? Leopold must

drinking continued, Leopold was soon too drunk to hold his

others, seeing Leopold's state, eased off, focusing on their own drinks and conversations. Percival, ever attentive to

some of her favorites, "Mr. Wolf,

her hand, sharing a tender moment amidst the oblivious

focus, Leopold and Griffin were eventually called away, leaving Leopold regretting

Griffin's support, he managed, a testament to