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?"

ever gives you trouble, don't hold back. A good scolding

in agreement, solidifying her

mentors joined

issues, just reach out. If Leopold dares to

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

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

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

much

wedding, not a mission to Fariana

wonder if they remembered he was the

found a new use for the tissues, not for

at 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

that, she downed her glass of strong spirits in

stop her in time, shocked

strong spirits, not something one should simply

for Vivienne and

envious glares turned

years and was so understanding? Leopold must have

drinking continued, Leopold was soon too drunk to

ones, a 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

of her favorites, "Mr. Wolf,

food directly from her hand, sharing

Leopold and Griffin were eventually called away, leaving Leopold

managed, a testament to the strong