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?"

if you 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 visit from

nodded in agreement, solidifying

joined in the

issues, just reach out. If Leopold dares

man 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

swallowed hard, silently thanking them for assigning

Leopold was the way he was. Percival, going

much

not a mission to

warning made him wonder if they remembered he was the vulnerable one in

for the tissues, not for

glass to 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

that, she downed her glass of strong spirits in one

couldn't stop her in

something

except for Vivienne

envious glares

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

the drinking continued, Leopold was soon too drunk to hold his

and conversations. Percival, ever attentive to

some of her favorites, "Mr. Wolf, your

her

Griffin were eventually called away, leaving

managed, a testament to the strong bonds