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

agreement,

other mentors joined in the

reach out. If Leopold dares to cross you,

at heart and a helper at home. If Leopold ever slacks off, just one call, and

hard, silently thanking them for assigning him all household duties

was the way he was. Percival, going a step further while serving Vivienne

much

not a

him wonder if they remembered he was the vulnerable one in this

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

I genuinely

that, she downed her glass of strong spirits in one

couldn't stop her in time, shocked at

strong spirits, not something

except for Vivienne and

glares turned toward

him for twenty years and

continued, Leopold was soon too drunk to hold his

off, focusing on their own drinks and conversations. Percival, ever attentive to Vivienne, sampled

nodded, offering him some of her

replied, accepting the food directly from her hand,

eventually called away, leaving Leopold

managed, a testament to the strong bonds formed within

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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