Learning that he hadn't been called, Adrian wore a confused expression before deciding to return back to his room to ask Dennis on the matter.
However, as he opened the door, he realized that the room was empty, and this left him wondering on where Dennis could be. Creases appeared between both of his eyebrows.
He then recalled about the coins he had handed over to Dennis and began his search for him.
"Adrian, what are you still doing here? Go and line up in the dining room. You will be missing the meal if you are late," Annie said once she spotted the boy wandering around on the hallway.
"Annie, do you know where Dennis could be?" he questioned.
"Dennis, I have seen him in the dining room last time around, getting his meal," Annie answered, "Do you need him for anything?"
"Oh, thank you, Annie."
°°°
Dennis was seated on the chair, and his meal was in front of him. Besides him were all the servants in the residence who are timed to have their meal now. Knowing how very little time there was to lunch, all of them ate as fast as they could.
The rules here were strict, and no one was allowed to spend even an extra on their meals.
Moreover, they would be punished if they were late to their designated task next.
As Dennis was about to bite into his bread, he felt someone tap on to his back. This made him close his mouth and look backwards.
His eyes met with Adrian's naïve ones, and the five year old asked, "Dennis, where is my pouch?"
As the five year old mentioned about the pouch, Dennis recalled about the coin he had taken from him and hidden it. He had no desire to give them back to him.
"Pouch? What pouch?" Dennis asked. He seemed to be confused.
"You know the pouch I had given you earlier. It had my coins in it," explained Adrian.
"What do you mean, Adrian? I didn't receive any pouch or coins from you. Are you confusing me with someone else?" Dennis sounded puzzled.
His words made Adrian widen his eyes in shock. He didn't understand why Dennis was acting in this manner. He clearly recalled handing over his pouch to Dennis.
"Dennis, in the room earlier, you said that you will be holding on to my pouch until I return. You also said that I was called by Lisa when she didn't do so," Adrian recounted— his tone holding desperation.
None of the servants bothered to step forward to help the child with the distress. This was a common occurrence at the Albinius Dukedom. That's why, one needed to be careful of trusting others regardless of their age.
"Aren't you being ridiculous now? Stop accusing me just because you lost the pouch. I have to finish my meal now. Leave and don't disturb me," Dennis expressed, sounding displeased.