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?"

need. Of all my students, Leopold is the most guileless-naive, to put it bluntly. If he ever gives you trouble, don't hold

nodded in agreement, solidifying

other mentors joined in the

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

from Emerald Mountain should be a gentleman at heart and a helper at home. If Leopold ever slacks off, just one call, and we'll sort him out without needing Master or

for assigning him all household

was the way he was. Percival, going a

was much harsher

a wedding, not a

him wonder if they remembered he was the

new use for the tissues, not for

the table, she said, "Thank you, Master, Vivienne, and all my brothers-in-law. You might 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

downed her glass of strong spirits in one

her in time,

strong spirits, not something

Vivienne

glares turned toward

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

the drinking continued, Leopold was soon too drunk to

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. Once Vivienne indicated she was full, Percival helped clean up, asking softly, "Feeling

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

her hand, sharing

eventually called away, leaving Leopold regretting

a testament to