“Winnie,” I say. “Please, call me Winnie.” “I’ll call you Winnie if you call me Alaric.” “But you have a fancy title. If I had a fancy title, I’d make everyone use it.” “Would you like a fancy title?” The corner of his mouth quirks again. “I believe I have the power to bestow them. Would you like to be ‘Empress Winifred, Lady of Light and Laughter and Terrible Music’, or perhaps ‘Her Royal Highness Winifred, Grand Poobah of the Clutter Castle’.” I giggle despite myself. “You are ridiculous.” “The Very Very Reverend Winifred, Mistress of the Storage Containers.” “Stop!” “Galactic Czarina
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