My 100th Rebirth a day before the Apocalypse - Chapter 193

Chapter 193: Chapter 193 The Sentimental Duke
Seeing Kisha clarify her motives to ensure he didn’t misunderstand, Duke nodded and happily let go of his earlier sourness. Her explanation showed that she valued Duke’s feelings above all else and didn’t want to hurt him.

This was all he needed. It didn’t need to be spoken; it was enough evidence for him to realize that his and Kisha’s hearts were aligned. Duke’s eyes formed crescents as he gazed directly into Kisha’s.

Those monitoring them from the hidden camera couldn’t bear to watch because Kisha and Duke appeared intimidatingly affectionate toward each other, making them feel uncomfortable as if their eyes were under assault.

Duke refrained from making any advances towards Kisha, knowing they were still under surveillance, which irked him. He was eager to teach those who intruded into his private space a lesson they wouldn’t forget once he had the chance. If only he had known they were no longer being watched, he could have taken advantage of the moment to do more than just hold hands. The thought that he missed a perfect opportunity for intimacy with his wife when the mood was ideal frustrated him deeply.

Even though they hadn’t officially tied the knot, Duke already considered Kisha his one and only wife. The insecurity about their unofficial status weighed on him, knowing how amazing Kisha was and how easily she could attract attention. Seeing her in disguise actually eased his mind a little.

He looked at Kisha’s hand and frowned. “Where’s the wedding ring I gave you?” Although he referred to it as a wedding ring, it was more of an engagement ring for now, considering they hadn’t actually wed yet, if they intended to follow the traditional wedding procedure.

But in a world where societal norms no longer held sway, they could consider themselves husband and wife as long as they both agreed. However, Duke couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t enough; he believed Kisha deserved more. If possible, he would spare no effort to give her a grand wedding, reminiscent of the lavish ceremonies he could once afford in a society where he was considered wealthy.

Thinking of this made him feel a pang of sadness. Imagining Kisha in a beautiful wedding dress, walking down the aisle in a venue adorned with flowers, surrounded by their beloved family, he felt his heart ache. He longed to give his wife such a beautiful wedding.

Kisha noticed Duke’s eyes starting to redden, and she assumed he was upset because she wasn’t wearing the ring he gave her. Feeling guilty, she nervously rubbed the tip of her nose as she retrieved the ring from her inventory.

“I was afraid this beautiful ring would get lost or stained with zombie blood, so I kept it safe in my inventory,” she explained, showing the ring to Duke. Her grip on his hand tightened slightly as she felt distressed seeing him so sad.

Duke took the ring from her and gently slipped it back onto her finger, chuckling softly. “I’m happy to know that you value my grandmother’s ring so much.” He then slowly rubbed her finger where the ring sat. “I just wish I could give you more,” he added, his tone turning somber once again.

As a man who once had everything, he wasn’t afraid of hardships or starting over. However, he felt guilty that he couldn’t provide his wife with the better life and splendor he once enjoyed.

As the saying goes, it’s easy to go from poor to rich, but it’s hard to go from rich to poor once you’ve experienced having everything.

Although Duke wasn’t dwelling on those thoughts, he felt bad that Kisha couldn’t experience the life he once had. This, however, ignited his determination to do better. Even if they couldn’t return to their normal lives, he was resolved to ensure they could live a better and safer life with their loved ones. He would make sure to pamper her as much as possible.

Seeing Duke like this made Kisha feel a warmth in her heart. She hadn’t known that being loved could feel this way—warm and genuine. It was a stark contrast to her previous relationship, where her partner had been all talk, leaving her feeling empty. Now, she realized it was because Duke expressed his feelings through both words and actions, never failing to show how much he cared. Kisha had been blind to these cues, afraid of getting hurt or rejected in their previous life.

As thoughts of her past began to resurface, Kisha shook her head, not wanting to dampen her emotions when Duke made her feel so full in her heart. She smiled appreciatively at him. “I’m happy that you think of me, but I’m content with what we have. You are enough,” she said, cupping his face and staring into his eyes. Though her words felt a bit cringy, she knew she needed to say them out loud to help Duke feel secure.

Duke smiled, cupping Kisha’s hand on his face before slowly kissing her palm while gazing at her. “I just wish to give you a memorable wedding, at least,” he said, his voice turning alluringly magnetic, never breaking eye contact with her.

Kisha rubbed his cheeks and chuckled softly. “If you’re worried about that, we can still make it happen. I’m sure among the survivors here, there are some who worked as wedding planners or designers,” she paused, gently coaxing Duke before continuing. “Besides, we’ll meet more people along the way. If we don’t have the right people now, we can keep looking. I’m not in a hurry.”

Hearing this, Duke’s eyes brightened with the realization that they could indeed post such a mission on the board, offering supplies as payment. He was confident that many would be eager to participate, considering how challenging it was to secure supplies through odd jobs alone, which often left them hungry. By offering a generous reward for the mission, he believed they could uncover hidden talents among the survivors.

Having found a solution to his worries, Duke was now smiling again with pure happiness. All he needed to do was gather the necessary materials for the wedding he envisioned for him and Kisha. His determination surged to another level, reminiscent of facing off against the world’s top bosses in the business world.

Kisha shook her head in amusement, seeing Duke all fired up. She realized she still had so much to learn about him; only now did she see his sentimental side.

In good spirits, Duke led Kisha downstairs to have dinner before bed. As usual, Vulture and Sparrow worked together to prepare a hot meal for the five of them, using only the canned goods and rice they had gathered while outside.

They all missed the fresh vegetables, fruits, and meats that Kisha often retrieved from her inventory. However, knowing they were still being monitored, they made do with what they had and planned to indulge once they were free again and Kisha could freely access her inventory.

Since Kisha had access to the base’s warehouse and stockroom, she had unlimited supplies of fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat available there. In addition, the supplies she had hoarded before arriving in City B were still there and as fresh as when she had stored them.