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?"

guileless-naive, to put it bluntly. If he ever gives you trouble,

agreement,

joined in the

in Leopold's phone. Any issues, just reach out. If Leopold dares to cross you, he'll have us to answer to," they

home. If Leopold

hard, silently thanking them for assigning him all household duties even before his

he was. Percival, going a step further while serving Vivienne some food,

was much harsher than

was just a wedding, not

they remembered he was the vulnerable one in this

a new use for the tissues, not for

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

downed her glass of strong spirits in

in

something one should simply gulp

for Vivienne and Percival,

envious glares turned toward

that pursued him for twenty years and was so understanding? Leopold must have

drinking continued, Leopold was soon too drunk to hold

happiness worth savoring. The others, seeing Leopold's state, eased off, focusing on their own drinks and conversations. Percival, ever attentive to Vivienne, sampled dishes, ensuring nothing upset her again.

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

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

Leopold and Griffin were eventually called away, leaving Leopold

support, he managed, a testament to the strong bonds formed within