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?"

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

agreement, solidifying her

joined

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

be a gentleman at heart and a helper at home. If Leopold ever slacks off, just one call, and we'll sort him

them for assigning him

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

much harsher than

was just a wedding, not a

wonder if they remembered he was

a new use for the

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 our future

she downed her glass of strong spirits in

stop her in time, shocked

something one should simply

except for Vivienne and Percival,

glares

him for twenty years and was

drinking continued, Leopold was soon too drunk

off, focusing on their own drinks and

nodded, offering him some of her favorites, "Mr. Wolf, your

replied, accepting the food directly from her hand, sharing a tender moment amidst the

and Griffin were eventually called away, leaving Leopold regretting not finishing his sobering

he managed, a testament to