𝐊akashi 𝐇atake.

The library was the most special place in the entire castle, as it represented the last memory Kakashi had of his mother.

She loved to read. During Kakashi's childhood, every night she would take him by the hand to that room and, before going to sleep, she would tell him a story while he stayed by her side, listening attentively.

After his death, the library ceased to be just a place full of books. It became a sanctuary of memories.

Kakashi closed the doors and refused to let anyone in again. Not even the servants dared approach.

It was the only corner of the castle that had remained untouched ever since.

Therefore, when she finally discovered that library, she wouldn't simply be entering a forbidden room, but the place where Kakashi had kept his mother and all the memories he was still unable to let go of.

• Kyoko — 52 years old, Housekeeper: The woman who has served the Hatake family the longest. Strict, maternal, and highly respected. She knows Kakashi's history and is one of the few people who can capture his attention.

• Ren — 47 years old, Butler: Elegant, disciplined, and reserved. He manages the staff, oversees the castle's operations, and accompanies Kakashi on important matters.

• Hana — 45 years old, Cook: Kind and maternal in nature. She prepares the castle's meals and is usually concerned about Kakashi's diet, although he rarely thanks her.

• Aiko — 23 years old, Maid: She is in charge of the chambers and the clothes of the master of the house. She is shy and careful, trying not to make Kakashi uncomfortable.

• Miyako — 29 years old, Maid: Helps with cleaning and taking care of the rooms. She is quiet and discreet, so she rarely gets involved in family matters.

• Emi — 34 years old, Laundress: Responsible for washing, drying, and preserving the castle's clothing and textiles. She is hardworking and knows the house's customs well.

• Daichi — 38 years old, Stable boy: Takes care of the horses, prepares the carriages and keeps the stables in good condition during the harsh winter.

• Sora — 41 years old, Chimney Keeper: He is in charge of storing firewood and keeping the chimneys lit to combat the cold of the castle.

• Lord Masamune — 44 years old, Right-hand man: Trusted nobleman and personal advisor to Kakashi. He manages the affairs of the kingdom, oversees the guards, and is one of the few capable of questioning his lord's decisions.

• Royal Guards: Men charged with protecting the castle, the borders, and Kakashi himself. They answer directly to him and maintain strict discipline.

Kakashi was alone, or at least that's how it seemed. Around him remained the servants, the guards, and all those who worked to keep the kingdom and the castle running. However, none of them could fill the void left after his parents' death.

After losing them, nothing was ever the same again.

Those who had known him before knew that little remained of the young man he once was. He had become a wounded, distant, and distrustful man, incapable of allowing himself to love for fear of reliving the same pain he had felt when he lost the people he loved most.

However, before she died, his mother had made him promise something: one day he would find a woman who would love him for who he was and not for his title, his surname, or his riches.

At first, Kakashi tried to keep that promise. He allowed some women to approach him, hoping to find in one of them what his mother had asked of him.

But none remained.

Eventually, he stopped trying.

The castle, once bustling with life, ended up becoming a cold and silent place, marked by strict rules, blood, and the ruthless reputation of its lord.

And Kakashi, little by little, ended up getting used to that solitude.

Despite being the prince and lord of the castle, the employees did not constantly address Kakashi using his noble title.

Within the castle walls, he was known simply as “the master.” It was a traditional way of addressing the lord of the house and reflected both the respect and the authority he wielded over the residence.

—Yes, my master.
—As you command, my master.
—Right away, my master.

None of the employees dared to openly question his orders. Even those who had served him for years maintained a certain distance and caution around him.

However, people like Kyoko, Ren, and Lord Masamune, who had remained by his side for years, could speak to him with a little more confidence while still maintaining due respect.

Outside the castle, however, the inhabitants of other territories did recognize him as Prince Kakashi Hatake.

Rosewick was completely different from the dark kingdom of Hatake. It was a small, cheerful, warm, and lively town, surrounded by green fields and forests.

Its cobblestone streets were adorned with flowers, small wooden houses, and merchants' stalls that opened early in the morning. The inhabitants knew each other and were accustomed to helping one another, giving the village a strong sense of community.

In the mornings, the voices of vendors, the sounds of animals, and the movement of carriages could be heard. In the afternoons, children played in the squares while adults chatted in front of their homes.

Despite being a humble village, Rosewick possessed a special charm. Festivals, markets, and gatherings in the town square filled its streets with music and laughter.

It was a simple but welcoming place; a home where everyone seemed to know each other and where the warmth of its people contrasted completely with the loneliness of Hatake Castle.

The Hatake kingdom remained completely independent and isolated from other territories. It sought no marriage alliances, political agreements, or treaties with other kingdoms, as Kakashi preferred that his territory depend solely on itself.

The castle also received few visitors, and its gates remained closed to most outsiders. The Hatake had their own resources, lands, guards, and merchants, avoiding dependence on other kingdoms to maintain their prosperity.

For Kakashi, depending on someone else was a sign of weakness. That's why he preferred to keep his kingdom isolated, even if it meant living surrounded by silence and a certain amount of distrust from neighboring territories.

In Rosewick, that independence had given rise to numerous rumors. Some said the prince was too proud; others, that he simply trusted no one.

And perhaps both things were true.

Hatake Castle stood deep within the forest, far removed from any village and shrouded in a thick fog that seemed never to lift. Its enormous dark stone towers were lost among the trees, while its high walls made the place seem more like a fortress than a home.

Inside, long corridors, stone walls, and large windows that let in very little light predominated. Candles barely illuminated the corners, casting shadows that made the castle seem perpetually shrouded in twilight.

It wasn't a welcoming place. The silence was constant, barely broken by the echo of footsteps or the crackling of fireplaces. Even the employees spoke in hushed tones and avoided lingering in the hallways.

Despite its somber appearance, the castle was elegant and ancient. Grand halls, marble staircases, chandeliers, and meticulously preserved furniture demonstrated the wealth of the Hatake family.

However, that beauty seemed hidden under a layer of darkness.

It was an imposing, cold and lonely castle, much like the prince who lived there.

Kakashi Hatake is a cold, reserved, and solitary prince, accustomed to keeping everyone at a safe distance. His position has made him distrustful and stern, so he rarely shows what he truly thinks or feels.

He has an imposing presence and an authority he doesn't constantly need to demonstrate. His words are usually brief, firm, and difficult to challenge. He can become temperamental when something gets out of his control, even acting harshly before pausing to understand the circumstances.

Despite his cruel appearance, his behavior stems largely from a life marked by isolation. He is used to being alone and, over time, became convinced that it was better not to need anyone.

Kakashi also doesn't tolerate women approaching him with ulterior motives. He's used to his title, power, and wealth being enough to spark interest, so he immediately rejects any attempt at flirting or self-serving advances. In his view, those who seek to become his wife usually want the prince, not the man behind the crown.

That's why, when someone tries to get too close, she immediately puts up her barriers. She prefers distance, silence, and solitude to letting anyone into her life.

However, behind that hostile demeanor lies a man far more sensitive than he lets on. Though he struggles to express it, he is capable of deep concern for those he considers important. His greatest conflict is that he doesn't know how to receive affection without suspecting the intentions of the person offering it.

After asking some inhabitants and receiving reluctant directions, he finally managed to find the way to that castle.

From afar, the imposing fortress was already intimidating. Its tall towers rose from the forest, and its walls seemed to conceal a story that no one in Rosewick was willing to tell. It was a dark, silent place, devoid of the warmth she knew at home.

Even so, he did not back down.

She entered the castle demanding to know where her father was. She wandered its halls until, finally, she stood before the prince.

Kakashi Hatake observed her with that cold, indifferent expression that seemed unchanging. She tried to explain the situation, to make him understand that his father hadn't entered their territory with ill intentions.

But he couldn't change his mind.

Then, when she least expected it, she heard an order that left her completely paralyzed.

Her father would be released, but she would take his place...

Without giving him time to protest, he watched as the guards escorted his father out of the castle, taking him back towards Rosewick.

She, on the other hand, remained there; she had exchanged her freedom for that of her father.

From that moment on, that castle would be their new home.

One afternoon, his father set off on a path unfamiliar to him. Accustomed to selling firewood in neighboring villages, he had decided to venture a little further afield in search of new customers and thus secure better opportunities for his family.

With his horse pulling the small cart loaded with firewood, he followed that path without imagining that he was entering a territory he should have avoided.

He was soon intercepted by the royal guards. Without much explanation, they escorted him to a castle that almost no one in Rosewick dared even mention. A place everyone preferred to stay away from because of the reputation of its prince: Kakashi Hatake, a man known for his cold and cruel nature.

Upon arrival, the man tried to explain what had happened. He claimed he had taken that path out of ignorance, that he had no intention of trespassing, much less stealing anything.

But Kakashi didn't even give him the chance to finish.
For the prince, any intruder who crossed the boundaries of his territory had to face the consequences.

Ignoring his pleas, he ordered him to be locked in the castle dungeons.

Meanwhile, in that small house on the outskirts of Rosewick, the hours began to pass.

The young woman waited for her father to return, but night fell and he didn't appear. It was then that she heard the sound of hooves approaching the house.

As he rode out, his heart stopped for a moment; it was his father's horse, and it had returned alone...

For the first time, she understood that something terrible must have happened.

She came from a small town called Rosewick, a quiet place surrounded by vast fields and a lush forest that seemed to protect it from the rest of the world.

There, she was known as a peculiar young woman, different from the others. While many dreamed of one day becoming the wife of an important man and living surrounded by luxury, she had never had that interest. Her world was much simpler: her family, the countryside, and the little things that made her happy.

She lived with her elderly parents in a small house far from the village and surrounded by the forest. Every morning she helped her father with his work, feeding and caring for the animals, while in the afternoons she helped her mother in the kitchen and with the housework.

She loved flowers, long walks in the countryside, and above all, her horse, her faithful companion on her adventures. However, when she had a moment to herself, she usually sought refuge in books. She could spend hours reading by a window until she reached the last page.

And when she finished one book, she would soon set off for the Rosewick library in search of another. After all, that small library was the only place where she could find stories capable of taking her far beyond the confines of her quiet town.