Rising from the Ashes BY Only For You

Leslie said, "So I hope you never let yourself get carried away with these kinds of

assumptions again."

Ryder's face turned red with embarrassment. Feeling humiliated, he snapped,

"Leslie, are you saying I'm being delusional? Then tell me what I have to become,

what I would have to do, to be good enough for you? What level would be enough

to not be a 'delusion' in your eyes?"

Leslie gave him a long, slow look, and her eyes were filled with scorn. It was not

just rejection, but the way she looked at him was deeply insulting.

After a pause, she spoke coldly, "Captain Ulrich, you know my current position,

don't you? I'm the General's adjutant. And once she rises, I'll rise with her. If we're

talking family background, sure, the Terrell family might not be as powerful as the

Ulrichs.

"But the gap isn't as big as you think. And you? You may be the eldest son, but

who knows how long it'll take before you're actually in charge. I'm not like that. All

I need to do is stay on course, stick with the General, and someday I might just

marry into the elite families of Chetvine."

As she spoke, a look of pride and dreamy ambition bloomed across her face.

Ryder was instantly crushed, feeling deeply ashamed and bitter. He had not

expected this from Leslie. When they first entered the military, they were both

naive young people who felt helpless and lost.

However, he had never stopped caring for and looking after Leslie.

also appreciated his kindness back then, calling him by his

warm moments, they would even sneak

while

had agreed to

their love to each

became Luna's aide.

aloof and distant, barely acknowledging him

name and started addressing him as

behind Luna

a

base, he begged Leslie to ask Luna

However, Leslie flatly refused and said some

things to him.

Ryder knew that

had just been lying to himself,

said coldly,

I hope you'll keep

happened between us

Ulrich, you

It's just that

we're not

don't think there's

with you."

comfort, but they did

Ryder was normally pretty

thick-skinned. Otherwise, he would

thinking about

own father to become

felt

hit by a

face turned pale.

young man had made the same mistake that most young men

with drinking, partying, or other pursuits, he had chosen

become a simp.

the peak of his youth, when he could have been doing

thrills. He chose the worst path

to a lady.

teeth as a