If that isn't the face of absolute cuteness then I don't know what is ♥

♕♥ ♕♥ ♕

I was leaving the country with an entire extra bag then I had arrived with, and I blamed Alejandro completely for it. I had so many souvenirs from all over that I forgot what half of them meant. The most sentimental for me was the red scarf from the Running of the Bulls and the amazing handkerchief I got from Spain. Also the dresses, because they were simply beautiful.

I was catching an afternoon flight back to the United Kingdom, meaning I should land at the beginning of the evening. It was not still early morning, and I was struggling to pack all my things. I wasn't all that organized so I just couldn't figure out how I had made everything fit in the first place. Two handmaidens were assisting me, making comments about how to pack but it proved futile because they didn't know English. Eventually they grew annoyed and respectfully dismissed me, allowing them to do the job on their own. They were feisty handmaidens, I could tell.

So now I was roaming the palace halls by my lonesome, taking pictures with my phone for memory sake. I took so many photos of Spain that I would need a new SD card. That or I could download all the pictures to an external hard drive, but the mere thought of doing that made me lazy.

I stopped by the kitchen and greeted the staff, trying to complement all of their food that I have tried in Spanish. I stumbled a lot but I could see that they were honoured of me trying their language, and that made a bubbly feeling rise in my stomach. I was offered some sweets from the pastry chef and now I was nibbling on them as I roamed the halls. Royal Guards saw me pass them as they patrolled, each time them giving me salute.

"Mel," I heard and turned to see Alejandro jogging up to me. "I've been looking everywhere for you!" I waited until he caught up with me.

"I'm just roaming the halls for a bit. I got kicked out my room," he found this revelation funny and laughed loudly. It took him a second to compose himself.

"Come on. There's something I want to give you," he said with the most excited grin on him I've ever seen. It befuddled me. He took my by the wrist and basically dragged me through the palace, clearly enthusiastic about whatever he wanted to give me.

"Calm down. You look like you're on a happy high!" I gasped as I jogged beside him.

"I've been waiting for a while to give this to you!" was all he responded to that question. "Besides, I won't be there tomorrow to give your present to you on your actual birthday," I had nearly forgotten. Today was my last day as a seventeen year-old princess wannabe. A lot of things were going to happen tomorrow, and I wasn't necessarily excited for it.

"You already got me that handkerchief this wasn't needed," I told him with an eye roll. He rolled his eyes back at me.

"Don't be modest. That was from Spain, this one is from me," he lead me towards the common room where a large red gift-wrapped box stood with a white bow. The box reached about my knee height and that made me a little more suspicious. Alejandro pushed me towards the box, hopping a bit in his step. As I neared it I could see little holes at the sides of the box, and that me suspicious. Why would there need to be ventilation in the box?

He didn't. Please tell me he didn't.

"Open it!" he shoved me to the box, a bright grin on his face. Reluctantly I went to on my knees in front of the box and pulled of the lid, my eyes widening at the contents of the box.

He totally did.

Inside was possibly the cutest kitten I have ever seen in my life. It was white and orange, black spots all around that made it resemble a cheetah. It better not be a cheetah.

"It's an Ashera!" Alejandro called excitedly, coming to sit down next to me. I pulled the kitten from the box, its cute paws striking at the air as I bring it into my lap. He pawed at my hands and I was awestruck. "It's a cross between an African serval, the Asian leopard and a domestic house cat," I looked up at Alejandro with wide eyes and a slack jaw.

"It's a wild?" I gasped in surprised. He shrugged his shoulders.

"It's more domestic than wild. He's almost like a Savannah cat," I looked at the adorable thing on my lap, barely a few weeks old. "He got separated from his mom,"

"It's a boy?" he nodded. "This is absolutely amazing," I admitted, gently petting the back of the majestic cat.

"Ashera cats are the most expensive in the world, so my dad and I decided to get you one for your birthday," I was completely overtaken with happy emotions, aweing at the meowing little creature in my lap. I looked to Alejandro with a raised eyebrow at his words.

"How expensive are we talking?" I asked with suspicious but Alejandro just laughed nervously, and that made me nervous.

"Don't worry about that, he's yours now," I stared at him for a few seconds longer before readjusting the escaping kitten. He was playful and curios, licking at each of my fingers.

"He's so cute!" I practically squealed. "And I can take him to the United Kingdom?" Alejandro nodded.

"He was imported from Los Angeles and is already used to flying. We made preparations for you to take him on the plane, but he has to stay with you for those two hours. You won't be taking a public plane this time," I nodded in understanding, examining all of the markings on the lovable fluff ball. Maybe not a cheetah, but a serval and a leopard. The thought was a bit terrifying, but I'm pretty sure the King of Spain wouldn't give me a wild animal. "What are you going to call him?"

That was a thought. I've never had a pet before because I was too immature to have one when I was a kid and outgrew the idea. My mother had dogs who were well trained and could roam the palace hall, because of their small size. They mostly just stay at the west wing of the palace where I usually don't roam.

"I'll have to think about it," I admitted, rising onto my feet with the kitten in my arms. He was settling a bit, sniffing at my skin every few seconds. He was trying to get used to me already. "Thank you so much," I honestly said and seeing my expression, Alejandro returned a wide grin as he rose to his feet as well.

"It is my pleasure," he told me sincerely, brining me into a quick hug before leaving to attend to his other plans in the meanwhile. I readjusted my kitten to lie against my shoulder, his gentle breaths vibrating against my body. He was so cute.

I headed back to my room, soft meowing following my adventure. I saw some Palace Guards and especially palace staff stop in their tracks to regard the little tyrant on my shoulder. He was nicking at my hair now, his little teeth finding a plaything. I made it to my room where there was minimal left to pack so I assisted, giving the handmaidens time to rest. The kitten was roaming on my bed, all three of us constantly keeping an eye on him but he luckily went to rest on the pillow. He was so cute.

I decided that he needed to be given a Spaniard name, in honour of where I got him from and the time spent here. The remainder of my morning I spent sitting in my bed, my little kitten roaming all over my lap. The handmaiden brought some food for him, saying the rest of his goods were already packed up. I didn't just get a kitten, but all his necessities as well. It was truly amazing.

I was searching through the web for the perfect name, and when I found it I immediately knew it was the one. My little kitten was now names Toro, which is Spanish for 'bull'. I thought it was the best possible thing that I could name him and the most appropriate. He looked like he could grow up to trample someone, even if it was a Spaniard Prince.

♕♥ ♕♥ ♕

The car trip to the airport was spent with Toro clutched in my arms, Alejandro bawling his eyes out at how he was going to miss me. I didn't think he could get emotional but I guess everyone had that side. He made promises to visit and things he would show me when I came to Spain again, which knowing our status, wasn't even a 'what if?' but a certainty. For whatever reason, be it a ceremony or for business, we will see each other again in person. Next time, however, we might have different titles.

Alejandro though it hilarious when I told him about Toro's name but ultimately, he liked it. It meant a lot to him that I basically named Toro after him, even if it was indirectly. The carried became awkward when we ran out of things to talk about, since neither of us liked goodbyes. When I first came here I was absolutely looking forward to going back but now I didn't want to leave. I was now dreading going back, knowing that I haven't talked to Sarina in over a week. Now I knew how I truly felt and there was no doubt about my feelings.

Spain has changed me.

"You have my number, right?" I nodded at his question. "Good. You better keep me updated on how the Kingdom is treating its Princess," I nodded again. "And in turn I'll tell you all about the drama that happens here,"

"Like your hospital visits? You were quite dramatic," Alejandro chuckled at my response in remembrance. When we had gone to check out my hand and his arm, he thought he was going to die when they told him it got infected. He was verbally telling me his will and who he would leave his royalties to when he was placed in a grave. He described his coffin to me, and how luxuries he wanted to look. He wanted bulls to run freely at the funeral for nostalgic purposes.

"Death was right around the door, I swear!" he tried to reason but I only rolled my eyes in response.

"My foot's infection was far worse than your arm's and I managed to walk around with heels only a few weeks thereafter. You were just being a dramatic weakling," Alejandro grimaced and shook his head at me.

"But at least I had a princess looking out for me!" he chuckled which caused me to roll my eyes at him. Toro was nibbling on my finger and I gently swatted at his nose. He yawned, revealing his tiny fangs. I picked him up gently and handed him over to Alejandro. He spent the rest of the car ride playing with Toro. I was glad to see that Toro was used to movement and didn't get carsick.

When we got to the airport, we immediately headed to a secluded part where Ian and Alejandro's bodyguards began to move my things into the jet. It was the King's jet and it reminded it my own father's, except that this one wasn't vandalised. I hoped that investigation was dying out for my brothers' sakes.

I handed Toro over to Ian and he entered the jet while I stayed outside. I greeted each of Alejandro's bodyguards, thanking them of all the work they had done while I was in their hands. I could tell they were a bit embarrassed but ultimately they were the perfect bodyguards. I headed over to the dear prince, and he certainly didn't expect me to pull him into a hug. He hugged me back with the same amount of emotion I was putting into the embrace, his fingers basically bruising my back.

"I'm really going to miss you, British Princess,"

"Are we really doing this, Spanish Prince?" he chuckled at my words and took a step back, regarding my form.

"Until next time," I smiled at his words, accepting the hand he held out for me.

"Until next time," and that was out goodbye. I entered the jet and headed to a seat at the front. I saw Alejandro and his men retreat from through the window, but occasionally he cast glances back towards my way. It saddened me, but I was coming to terms with it. This was going to be the last time I see him in person for a long time.

Ian headed over to me and handed me Toro, and I was thankful for the support. Maybe that was why Alejandro decided to get me a pet, because he knew I could need the support. He saw all my tense figures and anxious emotions these last two weeks, so he knew how I could be like. He knew how nerve wrecking I managed to get and how hard it was for me to exit those motions. He was a thoughtful guy, after all.

The engine of the jet began to vibrate through me and Ian came over to place Toro in a kennel for the take-off. Toro seemed agitated by this, but soon we were in the air and I let him out. Ian fed him while I was busy braiding a rope toy for him, glad to be doing something with my hands. Toro seemed to enjoy the toy when I introduced it to him. The two-hour flight was basically spent with me becoming accustomed to Toro, procrastinating the thoughts of Sarina.

The beautiful Sarina.

What would I say to her when I saw her again? Was she mad at me? I couldn't even tell.

I had some of the inflight food, because this was different than a normal plane. Besides, Ian assisted with it so I felt comfortable. I was also making plans in my mind for thanking Ian and all the help he offered these last two weeks. He checked my every meal and made sure my wellbeing was assured. I wasn't the easiest person to deal with but he performed his job with excellence. He deserved a thanking.

We touched down all too soon, and I could see the night sky from my window. The stars were especially bright, and it struck me all too soon that I was back in the UK again. Tonight I will be back in my palace bedroom with stoic Royal Guards standing around, imitating statues. My brothers will be demanding souvenirs and I might even be called to a dinner with my parents where they will interrogate me. They will want to know if I strengthened the two countries' bonds, if I made any relationships and how I felt about the country in general.

I was too tired to deal with things like that.

I stayed on the jet a little longer when we landed, Ian and other Royal Guards taking my various bags while I calmed Toro a bit. He was spooked at the sudden rush in of people. I took him into my arms once he became still and slowly exited the jet. I knew my parents would have send Royal Guards in their stead as they rather waited at the palace for me, and I knew my brothers wouldn't have come to pick me up as well. It wasn't their way of doing things.

But I had not expected to see the one person I did not want to deal with in my exhausted state. At the bottom of the steps leading out of the jet was a girl I barely recognized.

She stood there in shorts, a tank top and high boots; something strange to see on her. She wore no makeup and looked absolutely eccentric. Her face contorted into one of excitement when she spotted me, and in the background I could barely make out the twins fist bumping each other. She looked so strange, and in my state of confusion it took me a little longer to realize what was so different about her.

At the foot of the steps, staring at me with warm eyes I didn't know I loved so much, stood Sarina with her perfect body and perfect face, her hair no longer black but instead the calming colour I had lost from my life.

She brought it back.