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?"

Leopold is the most guileless-naive, to put it bluntly. If he ever gives you trouble, don't

nodded in agreement, solidifying her

mentors joined in the

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

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

silently thanking them for assigning

first time, understanding why Leopold was the way he was. Percival, going a step further while serving Vivienne some food, casually mentioned, "Step out

much

a wedding, not a

360-degree warning made him wonder if they remembered he was the vulnerable

a new use for the tissues, not for Leopold but

heard of me; I'm straightforward. I genuinely love Leopold, and chasing him

downed her glass of strong spirits in

her in time,

was strong spirits, not something one

except for Vivienne and

glares turned toward

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

continued, Leopold was soon too drunk to hold his

focusing on their own drinks and conversations. Percival, ever attentive

some of her

replied, accepting the food directly from her

and Griffin were eventually called away, leaving Leopold regretting not finishing his sobering

he managed, a testament to the strong bonds formed within