HATE [Edited]

"Will you marry me?"

A melodious, childish voice echoed through the serene garden. The sun bathed the world in its golden warmth, while the gentle breeze danced through the trees.

"What?"

Beneath the sprawling shade of a towering tree sat a young boy, no older than twelve, alongside a girl of similar age. The boy had neck-length amethyst hair and deep purple eyes that seemed to shimmer with an inner light. Opposite him, a girl in a flowing tangerine dress held a delicate flower in her hands. Her golden blonde hair glimmered like sunlight, and her bright blue eyes sparkled. Both of them still bore the chubby cheeks of youth.

"I said, marry me!" the girl repeated with a pout, kicking at the boy's gut.

But the boy swiftly caught her leg before it could connect. "I heard you the first time, Diana. But shouldn't I be the one asking?" he teased, gently lowering her leg and patting her head. "Don't be so desperate," he added with a flick to her forehead, chuckling.

"Shut up!" Diana sprang to her feet and lunged at him, catching him off guard as they tumbled over. She managed to land a soft punch on his head.

"Ow!" he cried out dramatically, though the blow barely hurt. Seeing his reaction, Diana's eyes widened in panic.

"Sorry!" she said quickly, scrambling off him.

"Ha!" he laughed, brushing off her concern. "Like your tiny hands could hurt me!"

Diana's face turned red with annoyance. "I'LL BEAT YOU UP!" She launched herself at him again, but he easily caught her hands, holding her at bay.

"Alright, calm down," he said, smirking. "I was just joking."

She huffed, folding her arms in frustration.

"But seriously, why did you say that?" he asked, still baffled by her sudden proposal.

"I… heard from Father," she mumbled, looking away. "He said I'm going to be engaged to you."

"What?!" The boy frowned. "No one told me about that..."

Diana turned back to him, her hands on her hips. "Does that mean you don't want to get engaged to me? Do you even understand how lucky you are? Being engaged to someone as beautiful as me is a privilege!" She twirled, her golden hair catching the sunlight as she proudly sang her own praises.

The boy stared at her blankly. "No thanks. I'd rather become a priest."

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "What did you just say? Are you saying I'm not beautiful?"

Before she could grab him, he darted to his feet and bolted.

"Where do you think you're going?!" she shouted, chasing after him.

"To find Christina! She's the only one who can save me from your madness!" he yelled over his shoulder, laughing as he ran toward the mansion.

"DID YOU JUST CALL ME MAD?!" Diana screamed, abandoning all pretense of decorum as she tore after him.

BAM!

The boy tripped and fell to the ground with a loud "Ouch!"

Diana burst into laughter. "Serves you right!"

He groaned, getting to his feet. "Tsk. I'd rather marry Angelina than you. You're so annoying."

Her laughter stopped abruptly, and he turned to see her eyes brimming with tears.

"Wait, I didn't mean that! Don't cry!" he said, panicking. "If the guards see you like this, they'll beat me up!"

But her sobs continued. He sighed, running a hand through his hair before spotting something nearby. Picking it up, he knelt before her.

Clearing his throat, he spoke in a mock-serious tone. "Dear Diana, the most beautiful princess in the world, will you bless my worthless life by agreeing to marry me?"

Her tears slowed, and she looked at him with teary but skeptical eyes.

"...I'd rather marry a pig!" she declared, spinning on her heel and running away.

The boy froze, dumbfounded.

....

....

The sky was a canvas of darkness, dotted with twinkling stars and a luminous moon. A young boy with amethyst hair sat on a luxurious bed, his body trembling occasionally.

-Creak!

The door opened and two people walked in.

"El… what's wrong with you? Why did you suddenly... Act that way?" asked a girl with lustrous black hair and crimson eyes as she approached him.

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" he screamed, his voice trembling with rage and despair.

She recoiled, stunned. "What happened?"

Another voice, belonging to a golden-haired girl, chimed in softly, "El, we're just trying to help—"

"GET AWAY FROM ME!" he shouted, shoving her aside. Tears streamed down his face. "YOU'RE ALL LIARS! TRAITORS! I HATE YOU! I HATE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!"

Before anyone could stop him, he raised a kitchen knife he had been holding al this while and plunged it into his abdomen.

"EL!!!"

"NOOOOOOO!"

As he collapsed to the ground, blood trickling from his lips, he whispered faintly, "I hate… you all…" Darkness claimed him as the horrified cries of those around him echoed into the night.