The bright Phoebus star mingled with the Earth, touching the jade shades of grasses and leaves rustling with the wind with its rays. People went on moving with their personal lives, heading on their way towards a new way of facing another day of living. The entire Metro was filled with honking horns of cars, buses and jeepneys, roaming along the long boulevards of the city. Almost the whole place was filled with a new specter of hope and expectancy…anticipating to survive this day.

She walked along the sidewalks of the streets, facing the day with a cheerful smile upon her face. Deciding to went on her way to the Palace, her face was beaming, yet her feet was moving along on the cemented roads with heavy footsteps.

She knew that she was smiling…but her insides were the exact opposite of her jovial expression.

Trying to put the sense upon her, she simply shook her head and went on walking. Once she had reached the Palace, the guards noticed her, thus escorting her behind the gates. Staring her dark hazel eyes around the warm, beautiful environment, she slowly inhaled, savoring the fresh air near her. Thinking how things are going around her homeland for now, she planned to finish all the paperwork waiting of her at her desk. Perhaps, she'll be having ha hard day ahead of her now.

The guards finally escorted her to her office, and left her with a reminder to call them when she needs anything or when something peculiar or strange happens. Nodding in full agreement, she thanked the two Palace guards and opened the door.

The whole office room was spacious and clean, earthy colored ceilings with a dash of Spanish era architecture depicting the entire structure of her workplace. A vase of newly-brought fresh roses, blooming in deep crimson red, caught her eye.

Well…she simply ignored it, taking away her eyes off of the flower vase.

And so, she continued strolling to her wide desk, with piles of folders neatly arranged on the garnished platform.

"Oh…this is more of a challenge; requires a greater push to be accomplished. Hmm…not as worse as I expected…" she thought to herself, as she sat on her chair, picking up a few colored folders, scanning its pages and well-neat papers attached into them.

As she was looking at the folders, a well-decorated card stumbled to her sight. While picking it up with her fingers, she recognized that it was the same Valentines card that she had received while staying in London during a World Summit. Flashbacks began to dominate her mind…memories of that place. Most importantly, those simple memories of that one whom she knew very well.

She put the card inside her bag, planning to attach it on one of the pages of her journal.

It was nine in the morning when she began to work. She started her day, facing her once organized desk into a messy table, filled with scattered folders and papers around her.

He woke up at six forty-five in the morning. Glancing at the annoying, beeping alarm beside his bed, humming the famous "God Save the Queen" tone, he instantly turned it off, rising from his bed with his green eyes half-wide open, his blond hair in a full mess.

Fixing a few creases from his pajamas, he aimed for the kitchen, making a nice cup of Earl Grey and some sandwiches. At first, he only wanted biscuits, but then he scowled in irritation after seeing that his box of biscuits were gone. So he aimed for the sandwich instead.

After recognizing that there's nothing left to do with the bread, except for some tuna spread left in the fridge, he grabbed the soft loaves, preparing them at the table in a perfect line. Then, he heated the cold tuna, and soon spread some of it at the top of each bread.

As he was relishing his early breakfast, he went to his favorite spot…the garden. He sat upon his chair, facing his green Paradise, full of fragrant flowers blooming everywhere and green luscious bushes and plants sprouting in a gradual phase.

When he reached for the newspaper, something slipped onto his arm. When he saw the white cloth on the round table, he picked it up and held it tightly.

"Please…don't let it control you…not now…" he said slowly, as he kept on repeating these words to his mind. However, he took a slight smell on that cloth. The scent is still there…actually it smelled like…flowers. He doesn't understand how and why did he kept on smelling that aromatic cloth. Maybe the smell of it hypnotizes him, arousing his dormant senses.

Still…something is special about its scent.

Something about it will remind him of a certain thing…or someone rather.

He sighed, placing the white handkerchief into his pocket and left the table with an empty teacup.

Even inside the shower room, he can't erase his thoughts on that weird emotions swirling inside his chest. No…it was something that he had felt before. The last time that he was like this was when he was left behind after that unforgettable moment. He knew that for the first time in his life, he shed tears during that memorable war. As a gentleman, he knew that crying isn't appropriate.

He can't deny the fact that he is England as a nation…a cold-hearted and individualistic nation, who lived alone in solitude and became a great country all by himself, ever since he became existent in this world.

But at the same time...he...he is Arthur Kirkland as a human...a persona who possesses feelings like ordinary humans do. He knows how it feels like to be hurt, to be sad, to be happy, and to be in love with someone.

What more can he deny?

He turned off the shower and left the bath room with slow steps. He divided the curtains and faced the luminous window, looking at the view of his beloved land outside his house.

He slightly grinned, but sadness was completely obvious in his jade orbs. He can't deny it.

He felt that something important to him was missing.

Five thirty-five in the afternoon.

Philippines walked along the side roads of the Baywalk, watching the setting Phoebus, emitting its gorgeous shades of red, orange, blue and lavender. She terribly missed this hobby of watching the sun going down, since she is always busy at work.

Yes...she thought. She surely forgets to wind up her mind for a while.

She rushed back to the Palace and stayed in her room for the rest of the day.

England has just finished with another meeting with the Queen. Finally, he was able to meet his fellow colleagues and acquaintances after long days of being abroad for attending World Meetings in other countries. Just as he was done with his work, he went home, feeling tired and exhausted after a long day of hard work and loaded responsibilities as a nation.

While he was busy reading a book, a knock on the door was heard.

"I'm coming." he said, setting the book on the couch and opened the door. It was a messenger from the Palace.

"Good evening, Sir." the messenger greeted the Brit in a courteous manner. England just looked at him curiously.

The messenger took something from his bag. He handed a white sealed envelope to England's palms.

"I received this letter from my desk just a couple of minutes ago, so I decided to go here and hand this over to you as earlier as possible, Sir."

"Oh, I see. Why, thank you for delivering this letter to me, then." England replied, still with his eyes glued on the envelope with a questionable stare.

The messenger bowed down his head and left the house.

He found out that the letter was an invitation from the Palace, telling him to attend an upcoming event with the Prime Minister. When he was done reading the letter, he remembered something similar with the envelope that he has in his hands.

Now, he couldn't hide the pain inside his heart...he went into his room and lay down on his bed. He reached for the small antique closet beside him and pulled out a white sealed envelope marked with that familiar emblem. He picked the paper inside the already torn envelope and read it silently:

England,

It's been a couple of months since I wrote my recent letter to you. I became very busy with my affairs, and my schedule's tight. Fortunately, I was able to write one, for Heaven's sake. I know that this letters sounds simple to you...however, I just want to know if you're fine there. I know that you are to minding your personal matters...right now, I want to apologize for being a burden to you.

So...how are you doing, love? I hope that you're OK, and I wish that we'll meet again some time, thought I know that this is impossible to happen, now that we're too busy with our business at this period of time.

Please don't strain yourself too much at work. It's not good for your health. You know that I'll get damn worried when you get sick.

And...and...remember to keep yourself safe always.

Well...I...I want to tell you one last thing...all I want to tell you is that...

I...I terribly miss you. I can't stop thinking about you. I admit, I'm trying not to put myself to much on this...but honestly...I am missing you. Everything that you have and every single thing that you do...everything about you...I've been longing for it. If you only knew how much I wanted to see you once more.

I miss you, jerk! Don't you forget that I'll always be here...I'll never leave you no matter what. (God...I'm sounding too cheesy now...)

I want to see you again...if Fate permits us so...I'll be looking forward to that day. Oh...bago ko tapusin ang sulat na ito, gusto ko lang sabihin sa iyo na "Mahal kita." Mahal na mahal kita, tandaan mo 'yan. (Oh...before I end this letter...I just want to tell you that I love you. I love you so much, don't forget that.)

Eternally yours,

Maria Clara de la Cruz

(Signature over Printed Name)

The entire house went still.

England let out a deep sigh, unable to hide away his smile on his lips. For so long, he wasn't able to write letters often too.

This is the recent letter that he has from her...he received it last month. He became too busy that he wasn't able to have time to make one letter for her.

Vivid images of the lady nation came into his mind. He chuckled, sensing her emotions while making up this letter. Probably, she was blushing or crying while writing it. He knew that she's a woman of few words, due to her shy nature. But he doesn't mind it at all. He knows inside him that he was longing for her too, just as she was feeling for him as well.

The once stressed Briton felt his heart at ease, his fingers anticipated to write back.

When midnight fell, he sat on his desk and took his fountain pen and ink. Searching for the best quality-made paper on his cabinet, he rushed on his way to the table and stared at it.

"What will I write first?" he pondered.

After a few minutes of thinking, he simply let his heart out and started marking the paper with the pen.

It was the month of November.

Philippines came home late at night after long hours of discussing her plans with her boss, regarding the upcoming Yuletide season next month.

She jumped on the bed as soon as she set her bag aside, tossing it onto the couch. She laid down and closed her eyes.

"Finally..." she grinned as she took out a white envelope behind her.

At last, he finally sent her a letter!

She felt a sense of excitement while tearing the envelope open. She pulled out the white sheet of paper inside it, and started to read the lines with her eyes and her thoughts:

Philippines,

It's been a long time since we've met...don't worry, I do understand your situation, so I don't mind. You are busy, and it is a good thing that you are doing a good job handling yourself as a nation.

I am deeply sorry if I wasn't able to send you a letter last time. I'll be making it up to you, so don't be upset with me, alright? (Bloody hell...I'm now sounding like a distressed woman...)

I think THIS is the perfect time that I should tell everything what I feel...I know I sound late for telling you such things. Pardon me for my cowardice...(Where do I begin? Alright...here it goes...)

First, I am sorry for everything that I caused upon you...I knew that I brought nothing but pain, misery and hatred to you. I knew how much you despised me...after all those years...those two years that I held you in my hands...I never got the opportunity to show how much I care for you as your former guardian. I am sorry that I became so cold towards you, that I wasn't able to see that you do care for me too.

Second...I do admit that I-I've always liked you...ever since from the beginning that I saw you. I really liked you...yet, the bitter truth that you hated me hindered me to get close to you again. Remember the time when we attended your birthday that year? I already fell for you that night...if you only knew how much I wanted to set things right between the two of us...I am definitely aware that you still hated me those times. I gravely feared that once you find out that I have feelings for you, you will hate me more than you do. Still...this reality and this feeling that I am falling for you, pushed me towards you. I did what I could to make things up for us...until I finally realized that...I already love you. I want you to know that I am very thankful that I met you. I never regret the day that I first laid my eyes on you. Two years weren't enough for us to know each other more...however, it must have been Fate that brought us together again.

I bloodily want you to know that...I am missing you too. E-Er...I don't know how to put this...but...I am missing you badly. I miss you...more that you miss me. Being far away from you makes my heart shiver in sadness. This is true...to be frank, I can't sleep at night while thinking of you. Remember that you're special. You will always be special to me.

Keep in mind that I will always love you...unconditionally. No matter what happens, you will always be the one who holds my heart...in exchange, let me be the one who will eternally take good care of your heart, as well as your love.

I love you, fit bird! Nothing or no one can change it...don't you forget that, too. I love you...more than you ever know.

I wrote this letter to you not as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Nay...I'm telling you these things as Arthur Kirkland...a gentleman who finally met his love...his only treasure...his one and only "pearl". You are my precious pearl, and you'll always be like that for me, my love.

P.S. I'll return something to you once we meet again.

Forever yours,

Arthur Kirkland

(Signature over Printed Name)

Tears trickled down from the Filipina's cheeks.

"My...you're such a jerk..." she sighed as she gently closed her eyes, placing the letter upon her bosom. She was holding it closer towards her, and she can't help but to smile.

The blond gentleman sat on his chair, looking at the clear pitch darkness above his head. There were a few stars twinkling and the moon shone bright. The cool breeze touched his skin. England sighed, wiping the moist from his jade eyes. His tear ducts can't hold the tears anymore.

But then, he knew how to handle this kind of situations. He just perfectly knew how to do it.

He let out a deep sigh and smirked.

A thud on the door was heard. Fireflies were dancing around the garden, and the birds chirped their evening songs before they fell into a deep sleep, closing the day.

A/N: My God! I love England when he is "tsundere"...this is the time where I can imagine him being a natural romantic himself. I can't stop squealing while editing and rereading this chapter. I really love UKPH pairing more and more each day...gaaaaahhhhh!

Hang on tight for the next chapters, mates!