Chapter 1

To Shine

Ever been part of a secret? Ever had that feeling the secret would keep you from being free? Or to even shine? I have felt that way for the most of my life. My name is Uta and I am the secret princess of Clarines. My mother was a musician, who would often play at the castle were parties came around. My mother once said "music can win anyone's heart," and how right she was. The King of Clarines fell in love with mother, but his love was secret as he was married and was a king. Soon my mother was pregnant with me. My mother was happy and so was the king. When I was born, she named me Uta, because as she said "she creates songs and she created me." The King didn't see me during birth because at the same time his second son Zen was born. Prince Zen and I were born on the same day.

Mother never moved to the palace or told anyone of me. It would ruin the King. If anyone asked, she would tell them my father left when he heard the news of me. Though I did see him from time to time but of course. It was in secret. But I didn't care I was happy with my mother and our music, but now all happiness last. When was about 7 years old, my mother became very ill. I took care of her as best as I could and our neighbors once and while would come and help. But it wasn't enough, she then sent a letter to the King, I never read it, but it told him to come to her before she died because that's what he did. It was tragic and romantic how my mother died in his embrace. Though at the funeral, I never saw him because like me her death was a secret.

Maybe a week passed, while was staying with my neighbor till they find my father which I knew they never would. That a man, claimed to be my father said he had come to take me that night. But I knew that was the guard, who knew my father's secret. So I was taken that night and was taken to palace…

I was too nervous sleep in the carriage as the guard had suggested. I instead played with my platinum blonde braided hair the hung over the left of my shoulder while the rest of it was out just touching the end of my neck. I kept my bright yet dark blue eyes to the floor of the carriage. I wore a very simple brown dress with a plain apron on the front and black flat shoes. I didn't look very princess like at all but then again maybe a secret princess looked like this.

The carriage door opened startling me. I didn't even now the carriage stopped. It showed just how nervous I was. "Come along," the guard order. I sighed and stood up and walked to the door. He gently grabbed me by my waist, picked me up and put me on the ground outside the carriage. I looked up to see the castle. I was big and beautiful what imaged a castle would be. "Come miss," the guard said standing beside me and offering his hand. I hesitated but grabbed his hand and we walked into the castle.

We were just in the main entrance, I saw a boy, much older than me. He wore royal clothes and had a strange welcoming yet cold look. "Prince Izana," he said shocked. "Is something wrong?" he asked. This boy was the first Prince of Clarines, Prince Izana, my older brother.

"I can take her from here," Prince Izana said as cold but yet gentle. The guard bowed and let go of my hand and walked the other way. I was then alone with Prince Izana. He did offer his hand or ask my name he turned and started to walk and ordered. "Come." I quickly started walking behind him, now feeling even more nervous than I already was.

We soon entered a hallway of doors. It was quite most of the time. I hated it. "My name is Uta," I finally said.

"Yes," he responded calmly. "I know." Before I could ask any more questions, he continued. "There are things you need to be aware of. You here by pure luck." I was startled by that it was so cold and I could tell he didn't care. "I bet the moment you thought you stepped in here. You believed you would shine better than you would before because you are royalty."

"No," I said quietly at least I think I didn't.

"Then you know you can't shine." My heart felt like it stopped and it hurt. "At least, you can never shine here but you were never meant too." How? How could he say that to me? I never wanted my mother to die. I never wanted to move here and be royalty. I never wanted to be a secret princess. He stopped moved to the left to reveal a door. He opened the door. "This is your room." I slowly walked in. I had a big bed and so much room. It looked amazing even in the dark but at the moment it felt empty and cold. "The King will see you tomorrow. Sleep well."

I turned to see him turn away. "Wait," I said. He didn't move so heard me. "I never had a brother, but I don't brothers treat their sister like a bully."

He didn't say anything for a while. "You are my half-sister. So I give you have what a brother should be." He then closed the door and was left alone in the dark. It just made me feel worse because I couldn't even shine in the dark.

I was scary a big room and in a place where I was clearly not wanted. If wasn't allowed to shine like my father, my mother, or my brothers; why should I be stay. I had to leave and go back home back where I could shine one day. I walked to the door and opened it. I scanned the hallway. It was dark with very little light entered the hall and closed my door. I walked down the hall silently. I was so scary felt myself holding my breath. I heard creaks in the floor. I looked around be so no one but could have sworn I heard footsteps. I gave a small scream and ran down the hall. I want to go home! I want to go home. I soon tripped and fell to the ground. I was too afraid to get up. "What you doing?" asked a voice.

I looked up to see a boy with white hair and dark blue eyes wearing pajama like clothes. I knew who he was the second prince of Clarines Zen, my brother who was almost like my twin. "I'm going home."

Zen looked confused and offered his hand. "Why?" he asked.

I hesitated but took his hand and he helped me up. "Because nobody likes me here. I don't belong here." Zen just stared at me and then looked down. "Now I can't because it's too dark."

Zen smiled. "Well, I can't take you back to your room," he then pointed to himself. "I haven't been a scared since I was six years old."
` My eyes widened with happiness. "Really?!" He nodded so proud of himself.

"Come on, let's go," he said as he held out his hand. I nodded and grabbed his hand and we walked through the hall. "Why don't you think you belong here?" he asked as we walked.

"Prince Izana said I didn't," I said. I felt his hand tense but I ignored it. "He then said as long as I was here I would never really shine. So I was going to go home."

Zen looked a little upset. "Lord Brother," he started. "He can be a bully sometimes," he then turned to me with a smile. "But I know he's wrong."

"How?"

He shrugged and blushed a little. "I like you. I think father likes you or you wouldn't be here."

I smiled but then frowned. "Do you think I'll shine?" I asked.

Zen thought for moment. I thought maybe he didn't have an answer. He then looked at me as seriously and as charming as a seven years old could. "I think everyone will one day when he get bigger no matter where you are." What he said made me smile. At least I knew I was loved. We finally reached the door of my room. "Well, here we are," he said as he let go of my hand. "Goodnight," he said as he started to walk away.

I grabbed his hand again. "Please can you sleep with me for tonight, Zen?"

He then turned to see his face. I was a little red and shocked. "How do you know my name?"

I smiled. "We're family. I'm supposed to know you." He seemed shocked I was surprised because it was true. "If don't know, then I'll tell you. My name is Uta."

He just nodded and smiled but I just knew that it meant he would stay with me for the night. I may to have shine but knew that together while we slept. We made the room brighter.

The next morning my life completely changed. I talked to my father. He said how he loved me and how they were some rules. The few outer kingdoms would know who I was and the people of the town would too but no one else. I was granted half of my title was Princess Uta but I could never dream of being more or doing more at time I didn't care. I was told was join Izana and Zen in training to fight.

I was granted two wishes. My first wish was room for music and for it to be filled with instruments. My second wish to do something for my kingdom, would music and poetry for people. Izana said I could never shine but like Zen said I could make my shine known. I thought I did until the day Zen and I met Shirayuki and Obi.