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 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 whenever there was a party. My mother once said, "music can win anyone's heart," and how right she was. The King of Clarines fell in love with my mother, but his love was a secret as he was married and, of course, an honorable king. Soon my mother was pregnant with me. My mother was happy, even 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 my 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 say to 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. The Queen was no fan of me, but he and she were pretty estranged, but even then, no one could know about me. But I didn't care; I was happy with my mother and our music, but not all happiness last.

When I 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. However, it wasn't enough, she then sent a letter to the King, I never read it, but it told him to go to her before she died because that's what he did. It was tragic and romantic how my mother died in his embrace. Even so, it was only a tragedy for me. Though at the funeral, I never saw him because, like me, the meaning of her death was a secret. I was the only one that was left of her family and her secret. I was alone.

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


I was too nervous to sleep in the carriage, as the guard had suggested. I instead played with my platinum blonde braided hair that hung to 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 simple brown dress with a plain apron on the front and flat black shoes. I didn't look very princess-like at all, but then again, maybe a secret princess looked like this.

Suddenly the carriage door opened, startling me. I didn't even know the carriage stopped. It showed just how nervous I was. "Come along," the guard ordered. I sighed and stood up. 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. It was big and beautiful, what I imaged a castle would be. "Come, miss," the guard said, standing beside me, offering his hand. I hesitated but grabbed his hand, and we walked into the castle, a place I didn't think someone like me I was allowed to be in.

We were at the main entrance, I saw a boy, much older than me. He wore royal clothes and had a strange, welcoming, yet cool look on his face. "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 yet gentle. The guard bowed and let go of my hand and walked the other way. I was then alone with Prince Izana. He didn't 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 and even more alone with my own brother.


We soon entered a hallway of doors. It was quiet 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 are as a result of 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 that was how I felt. I lived longer as a peasant with her mother than a princess with everything, but a mother. If shine was happiness, then I was fine without royalty attached to her name.

"Then, you know you can't shine." My heartfelt 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 and moved to the left to reveal a door and opened it. "This is your room." I slowly walked in. I had a big bed, and there was so much room. It looked amazing even in the dark, but at the moment, it felt empty and cold. I merely had a cot, and that was it. I felt more warmth and love than I did here. "The King will see you tomorrow. Sleep well."

I turned to see him turned away to leave. "Wait," I said. He stopped moving. "I never had a brother, but I don't think brothers treat their sisters like a bully. Don't you love me? I don't have anyone else felt to love me."

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


The beautiful room turned in a big scary room and, in a place where I was clearly not wanted. If I wasn't allowed to shine like my father, my mother, or my brothers, why should I stay? I had to leave and go back home back where I could shine one day. I walked to the door and opened it. As I scanned the hallway, it was dark, with truly little light. I walked down the hall silently, even though I was scared. I soon found I felt myself holding my breath. I heard creeks in the floor. I looked around, and I saw no one, but I could have sworn I heard footsteps. I gave a small scream and ran down the hall. I wanted to go home! I wanted to go home! I soon tripped and fell to the ground. I was too afraid to get up, so I started to shake with fright. Tear welp up in my eyes. I wanted my mother. I don't want to be here, and I wanted to be with her.

"What are 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," I answered in a whimper.

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 as I looked down. "Now, I can't go because it's too dark, and I don't like the dark."

Zen smiled proudly. "Well, I can take you back to your room," he then pointed to himself. "I haven't been scared of the dark since I was six years old."

My eyes widened with happiness. "Really?!" He nodded so proudly 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 together. "Why don't you think you belong here?" he asked as we walked.

I looked away from him. "Prince Izana said I didn't," I answered quietly. I felt his hand tense in mine, but I ignored it and continued. "He then said as long as I was here, I would never really shine. So, I was going to go home, even if mama's not there."

Zen seemed a little upset as he stopped and squeezed my hand tighter, causing me to look at him. "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 a moment. I thought maybe he didn't have an answer. He then looked at me as seriously and as charming as a seven-year-old could. "I think everyone will, one day when you get bigger no matter where you are." When he said those words to me, it made me smile. At least I knew I was loved by him.

We finally reached the door of my room. "Well, here we are," he said as he let go of my hand. "Goodnight."

I instantly grabbed his hand again as he tried to walk away. "Please, can you sleep with me for tonight, Zen?" I begged.

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

I smiled brightly, causing his face to get even redder. "We're family. I'm supposed to know you." He seemed shocked I was surprised because it was true. "If I 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 not have shined on my own, but I knew that together while we slept. We made the room brighter.


The next morning my life completely changed. I was summoned and talk to my father. He said how he loved me, which made my mother's stories feel more real. However, he then explained the rules I had to now live by, however harsh they may be. The few outer kingdoms would know who I was, and the people of the country would too, but no one else. I was granted half of my title. I was Princess Uta, but I could never dream of being more or doing more than that. I was told I would join Izana and Zen in training to fight. At the time, I didn't care about any of the rules. I just wanted the home and love.

I was granted the two favors I asked for. My first request was room for music and for it to be filled with instruments, and it would be all mine. My second request is to do something for my kingdom, I would make music and poetry for people. Izana said I could never shine, but as Zen said, I could make my shine known. I thought I did until the day Zen and I met Shryiuki and Obi...