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?"

the most guileless-naive, to put it bluntly. If he ever gives you trouble, don't hold back. A good scolding

in agreement, solidifying her

other mentors joined

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

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

silently thanking them for assigning him all household duties even before

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

much harsher

not a mission to Fariana

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

use for the tissues, not

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

that, she downed her glass of strong spirits in one

in time,

strong spirits, not something one should

table, except for Vivienne

glares turned toward

pursued him for twenty years and was so

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 was

nodded, offering him some of her favorites, "Mr. Wolf,

her hand, sharing a tender moment amidst the oblivious

and Griffin were eventually called away, leaving

Griffin's support, he managed, a testament to the strong bonds formed within this