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,

in agreement, solidifying her

mentors joined

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

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

silently thanking them for assigning him

the first time, understanding why Leopold was the way he was. Percival, going a step further while serving Vivienne some

much harsher than

wedding, not

wonder if they remembered he was

meanwhile, found a new use for the tissues, not for Leopold but

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

that, she downed her glass

couldn't stop her in time, shocked at her

not something

for Vivienne and Percival,

glares turned

twenty years and was so understanding?

drinking continued, Leopold was soon too drunk to hold his

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

some of her favorites, "Mr. Wolf, your

you," Percival replied, accepting the food directly from her hand,

called away, leaving Leopold regretting not finishing his

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