Queen of the Dictionary

"My lady--"

"That's 'your highness' to you," the queen interjected.

The squire paused, it was his first day and he couldn't believe that he'd managed to already misstep. "Yes, of course, your highness."

"So what work to you bring to me?" the queen said, examining some of her books beside her. The queen kept many books around her, it was necessary for her to maintain her reign as queen of the dictionary. She read constantly, even when the squires came to see her.

"The council of euphemisms has met and has some additional definitions they would like added to the dictionary."

"Will we humans never stop coming up with ways to refer to uncomfortable or sexual topics?"

"I--I know not my l--your highness."

The queen rolled her eyes, "Very well, proceed."

"I have a list of words for drugs, a list for male anatomy, and a list for female anatomy...should...should I read them to you?" The squire really wished that he did not have to. He did not love the idea of having to explain the eggplant emoji to the queen.

"No, squire, I can look over those myself."

"Of course, your highness."

Seeing that the squire hadn't left, the queen asked, "Is there anything else?"

"Oh, yes, the youth council has met and has new slang for you to review."

"Ugh, the youth these days. Fine, I will review those as well."

"As you wish your highness."

"...Squire, is there anything else?"

"Oh, yes, I have a brief list from the new species council of new animals to add to the dictionary."

"Very well, have the scientist council double check that they aren't overlapping with current species and then have them added."

"Yes, your highness."

A few moments passed again. "Squire, I seriously suggest you just tell me everything you have instead of forcing me to waste my valuable time asking you repeatedly what else you have for me."

"Of course, my--highness."

The queen raised her eyebrow at the slip up. "I'll forgive the slip up if you finish listing everything right now."

"Right. I also have lists from the dated and archaic councils with definitions to adjust and update as well as a list of books from the reading council that contain a suggested reading list from the influence council of new books to get."

"Give me the list of updates and order the books. I will get to reading them as soon as I can."

"Yes, your highness."

The queen eyed the squire as he continued to stand there.

"You are dismissed, squire."

"Yes, your lady." The squire ran away as quickly as he could so he could dodge the queen's jabs about his last slip up. It wasn't until he left that he realized that he had two more lists to go over.

(Prompt by Kimisha Cassidy)

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