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?"

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

nodded in agreement, solidifying her

joined

just reach out. If Leopold dares to cross you, he'll have us to answer

home. If Leopold ever slacks off, just

silently thanking them for assigning him all household duties even

Leopold was the way he was. Percival, going a step further while serving Vivienne some food, casually mentioned, "Step out of line,

much

not a mission to

warning made him wonder if they remembered

a new use for the tissues, not for Leopold but

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

that, she downed her glass of

couldn't stop her in

strong spirits, not something

for Vivienne and Percival, was

glares

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

was soon too drunk to

a happiness worth savoring. The others, seeing Leopold's state, eased off, focusing on their own drinks and conversations. Percival, ever attentive to

him some of her favorites, "Mr. Wolf,

directly from her hand,

party's focus, Leopold and Griffin were eventually called away,

support, he managed, a testament to the strong bonds