I Stole The Duke - Chapter 149
The day Eliana received the news of Joel’s acceptance into the Blue Knights, she was finally able to end her day with a rare sense of peace.
“My lady, I’ll pour water over your head now.”
She was reclining comfortably in a bath filled with warm water, indulging in the rare luxury of having an attendant assist her with her bath.
“Mmm.”
Just as the maid gently poured water over Eliana’s hair—
Beep—!
A faint mechanical sound echoed in her head, not entirely unpleasant.
[System recovery initiated. 0.000001%, 0.000002%, 0.000003%…]
Her eyes, which had been peacefully closed, flew open.
‘Now? At this very moment…?’
She had completely forgotten the fact that she once wished to log out of this world. Or perhaps, at some point, she had started ignoring the question of whether this was a dream or a virtual reality.
“My lady, is something wrong?”
“No, it’s fine. Something just came to mind, that’s all…”
Eliana spoke softly, reassuring the startled maid.
“Then I’ll continue.”
Since her lady had opened her eyes, the maid poured the water with even greater care.
‘What in the world is going on?’
The system recovery was indeed in progress—albeit slowly.
Ding—!
[A message from the developer has arrived. To check the message, please say or think: “Check message.”]
‘Check message.’
Eliana’s heart began to race inexplicably. As she nervously summoned the message, a glowing pop-up appeared before her.
{ Hello, Beta Tester.
This is Ji-Hyun Kim, Senior Researcher at the Korea Branch of ION Space Inc.
We understand you must have felt great anxiety due to your inability to log out. Please accept our sincere apologies through this message. We have reviewed the error data you transmitted. The issue stems from a data entanglement phenomenon, and we are prioritizing your safety as we proceed with a rapid system recovery.
Additionally, our records indicate that you are not an authorized user.
We will not question how you obtained the device. However, this equipment was provided exclusively to beta testers participating in the <Dreamcatcher Project>. Once you have successfully logged out, we kindly request that you return the device to us.
Our headquarters is located at the ION Building, near Exit △ of Pangyo Station, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do. Please ask for Senior Researcher Ji-Hyun Kim at the lobby on the first floor.
If you have any further inquiries, feel free to send us a message.}
“……”
After reading the message, Eliana was at a loss for words.
‘Return it after logging out…’
They had phrased it politely, asking her to return the device, but it was likely that the system had already pinpointed its location through the data transmission.
‘It was never mine to begin with.’
She should never have used someone else’s device. Returning it was the right thing to do.
“……”
She knew all of this well—but the image of one person came to mind, making her heart ache.
“My lady, are your eyes stinging?”
The maid, startled by her lady’s furrowed brow, grew visibly concerned.
“No, I was just… lost in thought.”
Eliana rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and forced a smile. It wasn’t like she had to log out right this moment. There was still time.
‘This isn’t the time to cry. I need to find a way.’
She bit her lip to stifle the urge to break down.
‘Dream, I want to send a message to the developer.’
[Please think of the message you would like to send. It will appear in the pop-up as text.]
{ Hello, Senior Researcher.
I’ve received your message. First, I want to sincerely apologize for using a device that wasn’t mine. Your message has helped ease my anxiety. I’ll visit your office after I log out.
One question I do have—what exactly is the <Dreamcatcher Project>? }
‘Dream, please send the message.’
[Message has been sent.]
After sending the message, Eliana felt a bit lighter, as if a weight had been lifted from her chest.
Ding—!
[A message from the developer has arrived.]
Though the recovery was painstakingly slow, the message reply came through as quickly as if she were using a chat app.
‘Check message.’
{ Questions related to the project will be answered in person upon your visit to our headquarters. }
The message was as concise as it was swift.
‘Dream, send a reply: “Understood.”’
[Message has been sent.]
Eliana confirmed the pop-up once the message had gone through.
[System recovery in progress: 0.000005%]
‘Dream, when is the estimated completion date for the system recovery?’
[Empire Year 321, November 25th.]
Roughly one month remained.
‘Dream, what will happen to this world once I log out?’
[The current settings will remain intact.]
Just like in a game, the world would continue even if a single user logged out.
‘The recovery’s moving too fast…’
Eliana fell into deep thought. She knew she shouldn’t be thinking this way, but… she couldn’t just leave Michalis behind. Not like this. Not for his sake—and not for hers.
‘Would it be possible to stay just three more years… now, even just one?’
There were still far too many things she needed to do for the Duke.
‘I have to find a way to delay the recovery.’
What she needed now was not emotion, but strategy. If she couldn’t avoid logging out, then she had to delay it.
“I’ll lather you up with soap now.”
At that moment, the maid, having soaked Eliana’s hair thoroughly, picked up a bar of olive oil soap.
“Go ahead…”
Eliana gently closed her eyes and sank back into her thoughts.
‘Dream, what is the Dreamcatcher Project?’
If she took things one step at a time, perhaps she could find a way.
[……This information requires developer authorization.]
‘Of course, anything related to the project is blocked. But then why was the mask—meant for a beta tester—lying in the park?’
A simple, obvious doubt crept into Eliana’s mind. The kind anyone could have.
‘This is a confidential project by a global corporation. So why was one of their devices just left in a public park? Was it discarded on purpose?’
If someone had intentionally abandoned the mask, there must’ve been a reason.
‘Because it was dangerous? If they sensed danger and left it behind… what kind of danger could it have been?’
One thought led to another in a spiral of speculation.
“My lady, I’ve finished rinsing your hair.”
Even after the bath was complete, Eliana remained still in the tub, prompting a hint of concern from the maid.
“I’ll stay in the water a little longer. Please stand guard outside and make sure no one comes in.”
“Yes, my lady.”
At Eliana’s instruction, the maid placed a dry towel beside the tub and quickly left the room. Since the tub was equipped with a magical heating device, there was no risk of the water cooling down.
‘Possible risks… a defect in the VR equipment? Or maybe the Dreamcatcher Project itself is dangerous.’
Eliana leaned back against the tub, eyes closed, lost in thought.
‘Ugh… I don’t know anymore.’
Even with all of Eun-chae’s knowledge, she wasn’t well-versed in advanced technology, and so no clear conclusions came to mind.
‘Dream, can the developer see my thoughts?’
Regardless of the risks, she was determined to delay the logout at all costs—but it would be problematic if her intentions were exposed.
[You have not consented to share information with the company or any third parties. In accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act, IonSpace Inc. encrypts the personal data of users who have not given consent, in order to protect their dignity and value.]
‘So… my thoughts aren’t being monitored.’
Although the system’s replies might be forwarded to the developers, the commands themselves appeared to be encrypted. That gave Eliana a slight sense of reassurance.
‘Dream, what did you say was the system’s primary purpose again?’
[Dreamcatcher (Beta Version 2) guides users into user-centered, pleasant dreams.]
The system’s response was identical to before.
‘If this world is user-centered… Dream, I want to keep dreaming. So please delay the logout as much as possible. Whether it’s triggering a new system error or interfering with data transmission—if you can do it, don’t reply. Just execute it immediately.’
Beep—!
[System error detected. Collecting error data. Transmitting error data to the developer.]
She’d only hoped it might work—but the system really was responding in a user-centered manner.
[System recovery in progress: 0.0000000000001%]
Another series of zeros had been added. She didn’t know how long this tactic would fool a global tech company, but at the very least, she had bought herself some time.
‘I’m truly sorry…’
In this world’s time, she had gained roughly a year and a half, but Eliana couldn’t help but feel guilty thinking about the developers and researchers, likely panicking in the real world.
Sigh…
Knock knock.
As she held her face in both hands and exhaled deeply, a heavy knock sounded at the door.
“I’ll be out now.”
She must have been alone in the bathroom for too long—long enough to make the staff worry.
“It’s me.”
“Michal?”
At the unexpected voice, Eliana froze halfway through rising from the water.
“Are you all, right? I’m coming in for a moment.”
His voice from beyond the door was filled with concern.
“Yes…”
The moment she gave permission, Michalis cautiously opened the door and stepped inside.
“You shouldn’t stay in the water for so long.”
The first thing Michalis did was check her condition. He had come running after hearing that the lady had been in the bath for over an hour.
“I was just about to get out.”
“Here, takes my hand.”
Eliana took his silently extended hand and rose from the tub. As she stepped out, Michalis wrapped a large towel around her.
“You were worried? I just had a lot on my mind, that’s all. There was no need for you to get involved…”
Seeing how serious his expression was, Eliana couldn’t help but offer a clumsy excuse. It wasn’t just the long bath that raised concern—it seemed that her earlier, near-tearful expression had been reported to him as well.
“I’ve instructed the staff to report everything to me for the time being, even the smallest matters. If you’re in pain, say so. If you’re scared, admit it.”
Then, Michalis took a step closer and wrapped Eliana in his arms as she stood there, awkwardly smiling.
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