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 back. A good scolding or a

in agreement,

mentors joined in the

phone. Any issues, just reach out. If Leopold dares

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

swallowed hard, silently thanking them for assigning

going a step further while serving Vivienne some food, casually

was much

a wedding, not a mission to

him wonder if they remembered he was

use for the tissues, not for Leopold but

everyone 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 it." "I'll treasure his virtues and work through his flaws together. I believe our future is

she downed her glass of strong spirits in one

her in time, shocked

strong spirits, not something one should simply gulp

table, except for Vivienne and Percival,

glares turned

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

continued, Leopold was soon too drunk

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

some of her favorites, "Mr. Wolf,

replied, accepting the food directly from her hand, sharing

Griffin were eventually called away,

support, he managed, a testament to the strong