yarrr, ye scurvy boy-king, halt ye whinin'

"That's better," said the king. "Keep up that obedient attitude, Lieutenant, and you could be Captain of the Guard someday. It's true, the queen would never have you, but we could both be assassinated, and you could be captain to my heir. Don't give up hope just because the chances are slim."

"For the assassination or the heir, Your Majesty?" asked Costis.

There was silence.

Costis looked up, hearing too late what he'd said and realizing to whom he had said it.

The king was openmouthed with surprise. So were a number of people nearby.

Costis lifted his other hand to his eyes, and didn't realize that the laughter he heard was coming from the king.

from The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner