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In the opening moments of House of the Dragon episode 4, Rhaenyra gently touches the necklace Daemon gave her years in the past as she meets potential suitors on her tour to discover a husband. The males are lined up able to plead their case to the princess. Rhaenyra appears aggravated at having to hearken to males — younger and outdated — try and win her favor.
A younger boy named Samwell Blackwood is certainly one of Rhaenyra’s suitors. The different males, together with Amos Bracken, taunt him over his clearly rehearsed speech. Samwell could also be younger, however he’s not above bloodshed. A battle breaks out that leaves Amos dying by the hands of Samwell.
Rhaenyra ends her tour early and heads dwelling to King’s Landing with Criston. She worries about how her father will settle for her not discovering a husband but. Suddenly, Caraxes flies over the ship. Daemon is again.
Daemon Returns To King’s Landing
Everyone gathers within the Great Hall because the Rogue Prince returns. Daemon has lower off his lengthy blond hair within the wake of his victory in opposition to the Crabfeeder. He walks as much as the Iron Throne to satisfy his brother, Rhaenyra matching his steps within the crowd.
Viserys asks about Daemon’s crown. Daemon has been named King of the Narrow Sea. “But I know that there is only one true king, your grace,” Daemon says earlier than kneeling in entrance of his brother. Viserys walks as much as his brother and takes the crown. Daemon appears to be like up at Viserys with “pleading” eyes. Viserys and Daemon hug. “The realm owes you a great debt, brother,” Viserys says. Seemingly all is effectively with the brothers — for now.
At the celebration, Rhaenyra congratulates Daemon on his victory. There’s a clumsy second of silence with Viserys, Alicent, Rhaenyra, and Daemon. Alicent tries to interrupt the ice, however Viserys laughs in her face. Alicent tries to speak to Rhaenyra. She factors out that it’s uncommon for a lady to be able to have the ability to select her husband. Alicent thinks males preventing over Rhaenyra is type of romantic.
Rhaenyra says that the concept of being confined to a citadel and having to push out heirs just isn’t what she had in thoughts. Alicent feels this means an excessive amount of. Rhaenyra adjustments the topic and asks how Viserys is taking the information of her not discovering a husband. Alicent is glad Rhaenyra is dwelling. She’s missed Rhaenyra. Now that she is queen, Alicent doesn’t have many associates. “I’ve missed you, too,” Rhaenyra says.
Rhaenyra Vents To Daemon About Marriage
Later, Rhaenyra finds Daemon standing by the weirwood tree. They communicate in Valyrian. She asks why he actually got here again. He touches the necklace he gave her and says he missed “only the comforts of home.” She doesn’t let him off that simple.
It’s been 4 years since they final noticed one another. Daemon has observed how Rhaenyra has matured. The topic of marriage comes up. In Valyrian, Daemon tells Rhaenyra that “marriage is only a political arrangement. Once you are wed, you can do as you like.” Rhaenyra thinks marriage is usually a “death sentence” for ladies. Daemon needs that was the case along with his spouse. Rhaenyra jokes that his spouse has been lucky to not have his baby.
Rhaenyra brings up that her mom was made to provide heirs till it killed her. “I won’t subject myself to the same fate,” she declares. Daemon replies that Aemma’s dying was a tragedy. “But this is a tragic world. You cannot live your life in fear, or you will forsake the best parts of it,” he says softly.
Rhaenyra has “no desire” to reside in concern. “Only solitude,” she says. He thinks that seems like such a “lonely prospect.”
The small council discusses Corlys Velaryon nonetheless being mad about Viserys selecting Alicent over Laena. Apparently, Otto has realized that Corlys has been speaking to the Sealord of Braavos. Corlys plans to wed Laena to the Sealord’s son. If the Velaryons entered an alliance with the Free Cities, Viserys might want to treatment that with a wedding of his personal.
Daemon & Rhaenyra Give Into Their Desires
As Alicent takes care of her screaming child, Rhaenyra heads again to her room. She finds a bag of boys’ garments for her. There’s a map that explains hidden passageways within the Red Keep. She will get dressed and heads by the darkish halls. She finds Daemon ready for her. He doesn’t say a phrase. He simply leads her out of the Red Keep and into the town under. They stroll the streets collectively making an attempt to maintain a low profile. For the primary time, Rhaenyra witnesses wild partying and intercourse proper in entrance of her eyes. A fortune teller says to her, “Do you wish to know your death, child?” Suddenly, a burst of fireplace will be seen. (For those who know Fire & Blood, that is some critical foreshadowing.)
Alicent helps give Viserys a shower. She tells the maids to go away as she tends to him. He later requests her presence in his chambers. Alicent doesn’t need to go however is aware of she has to. She simply lies there as Viserys has intercourse together with her.
Meanwhile, Daemon and Rhaenyra watch a play that talks concerning the Targaryen succession state of affairs. The crowd boos Rhaenyra and a few say she’ll be “feeble” as a queen. This will get below her pores and skin. When Daemon tries to speak to her about it, she says that she needs to be freed from the burdens of her inheritance for one evening.
After stealing some meals and working, Daemon chases after Rhaenyra. She runs proper into Ser Harwin Strong. He acknowledges her however lets her go. Daemon catches as much as her, they usually make their approach to a pleasure home. He grabs her hand as they wander by the rooms. She sees all of the pleasure proper at her fingertips. She’s by no means seen something prefer it earlier than.
Daemon and Rhaenyra are immediately very, very shut. Daemon explains that this place is “where people come to take what they want.” He tells her that intercourse is pleasure for the lady as a lot as the person. They start to kiss.
“Marriage is a duty, but it doesn’t stop us from doing what they want,” Daemon says as he and Rhaenyra proceed kissing. “F**king who we want.” They make their means over to a wall, and he begins to take off her garments. She places her hand on the wall, and he locations his hand over hers.
Suddenly and with out warning, the eagerness stops. She tries to kiss him again, however he backs away. He slams his hand in opposition to the wall and walks off. Rhaenyra is left alone and confused. The guilt of realizing that what he’s doing isn’t proper refuses to go away.
Rhaenyra & Criston Hook Up
As she runs out, a messenger boy follows her. Rhaenyra goes again to her room. Criston is confused and says he’s going to inform the Lord Commander that one thing is up when she opens up her door. She grabs his helmet so he has to return inside. She flirts with him and finally ends up shutting the door. She kisses him and drops his helmet.
Rhaenyra begins to take off her garments. He tries to cease her, however she grabs his hand and leads him deeper inside. She begins to take off his armor. They give into their ardour. He hesitates for a second and appears again, however his want will get the higher of him. Their lovemaking is intimate and delicate. However, he’s breaking his oath of chastity.
As that is occurring, the messenger boy comes to speak to Otto. The subsequent morning, Daemon wakes up at Mysaria’s place. He’s hungover. He doesn’t discover the messenger boy bringing Mysaria cash from Otto.
Otto takes the data straight to Viserys. He reveals to Viserys that Rhaenyra was seen at a pleasure home with Daemon. “They were engaged in behaviors unbecoming of a maiden, of a princess,” Otto says. Viserys desires to know the complete particulars, however Otto doesn’t need to inform him. “Daemon and Rhaenyra were seen together in the bowels of a pleasure den… coupling,” Otto says as Alicent overhears every thing.
Viserys thinks that is all a lie. Otto defends his supply. Viserys calls for to know who began this gossip, however Otto received’t reveal his supply. Viserys believes that Otto has ulterior motives and needs to “destroy” Rhaenyra’s popularity to get his blood on the Iron Throne.
Alicent Confronts Rhaenyra Over The Daemon Gossip
Criston enters Rhaenyra’s chambers the following morning with a message from Alicent. Alicent calls for to know what occurred final evening after listening to concerning the “worrying allegations.” Alicent asks Rhaenyra if she was with Daemon. Rhaenyra admits that Daemon took her into the town for some enjoyable, however Alicent desires the complete story.
Alicent has heard that Rhaenyra “f**ked Daemon in a pleasure house.” A shocked Rhaenyra says that may be a “vile accusation.” Alicent snaps that the Targaryens do have “queer customs.” Rhaenyra cries that Alicent has to consider her when she says nothing occurred. Alicent says that her father was informed by somebody, and Rhaenyra desires to know who as a result of questioning her advantage is “an act of treason.”
Alicent mentions that Otto has already informed Viserys. She solely desires to assist Rhaenyra. Rhaenrya says that she and Daemon drank within the taverns and stayed out late. “I was only a spectator. I didn’t do anything,” Rhaenyra continues. She left when Daemon deserted her for “some whore.”
She tells Alicent, “Daemon never touched me. I swear this to you. Upon the memory of my mother.” Rhaenyra’s lie is fairly convincing. However, Alicent is clearly torn over what to consider. She and Viserys simply need to shield Rhaenyra, however this gossip may “ruin everything.”
Daemon Asks To Marry Rhaenyra
Daemon makes his means again to the Red Keep. He’s rapidly taken to the Great Hall. Viserys walks in and confronts Daemon concerning the rumor. “You defiled her,” Viserys says to his little brother. Daemon doesn’t perceive the issue. They screwed all by their youthful years. Viserys factors out that the state of affairs is totally different. Rhaenyra is a lady. “Rhaenyra is a woman grown. Better her first experience be with me than some whore,” Daemon says, not denying the gossip.
Viserys seethes, “You have ruined her! Who will wed her now in this condition?” Daemon doesn’t care what the lords assume. Viserys is the king. “You are the dragon. Your word is truth and law,” Daemon responds. Viserys says he ought to disinherit Rhaenyra and be carried out with it.
“Wed her to me. When I offered up my crown you said I could have anything. I want Rhaenyra. I’ll take her as she is and wed her in the tradition of our house,” Daemon tells his brother. He is critical about it.
Viserys brings up that Daemon already has a spouse. Daemon mentions that didn’t cease Aegon the Conqueror from taking a second spouse. That units Viserys off. “You are a plague sent to destroy me,” Viserys says as he clutches his brother.
Daemon continues to advocate for what he desires. “Give me Rhaenrya to take to wife, and we will return the house of the dragon to its proper glory,” Daemon says. Viserys doesn’t assume Daemon’s lust is for Rhaenyra, it’s for the Iron Throne. Viserys exiles Daemon from King’s Landing as soon as and for all. “As you wish, brother,” Daemon says, with out placing up a battle.
Rhaenyra & Laenor Velaryon Will Wed
Alicent and Viserys speak concerning the Daemon and Rhaenyra scandal. Alicent stresses that it’s “not in Rhaenyra’s nature to be deceitful. I cannot say the same for your brother.” She defends Rhaenyra, however Viserys is torn over who to consider. “How does confessing to such things serve him?” he asks. Alicent replies, “By reducing you.”
Viserys doesn’t assume Rhaenyra is harmless. Even if she isn’t, Alicent believes it’s solely as a result of Daemon was making an attempt to deprave her. Viserys is effectively conscious that Daemon and Rhaenyra share the blood of the dragon. “They’re restless and chaotic,” Viserys provides. Alicent says Rhaenyra swore to her that she continues to be a maiden.
Rhaenyra is summoned to her father’s chambers. They speak about Aegon the Conqueror’s prophecy that’s written into the Valyrian metal dagger. “From my blood comes the prince that was promised, and his song will be the song of ice and fire,” Rhaenyra reads.
Viserys tells his daughter that the accountability that he has handed to her and the burden of this data is “bigger” than the throne, and her wishes may wreck it. “The truth does not matter, Rhaenyra. Only perception,” Viserys says.
Rhaenyra makes a strong level to her father. If she had been a person, she may father a dozen bastards, and it wouldn’t matter. “You’re right, but you were born a woman,” Viserys replies. She desires to know if he’s going to strip her of her titles and identify Aegon II as inheritor.
Viserys desires to carry the Realm collectively, not tear it aside. He orders her to marry Laenor Velaryon with out protest. She thinks that is only a ploy to eliminate his political complications, however he snaps that she is his solely headache proper now. This marriage will unite the 2 strongest homes. It’s a no brainer.
She actually believes that Otto has one thing to do with this scandal. Rhaenyra is aware of that Otto desires Aegon II to be named inheritor, and he “will stop at nothing to see it done.” Rhaenyra wonders how unity and power throughout the Realm will be completed when Otto is so “self-interested.” Viserys says everyone seems to be self-interested on this world. Rhaenyra guarantees to do her obligation and marry Laenor, however she provides Viserys an ultimatum. He has to eliminate Otto as his Hand.
Viserys Fires Otto
Viserys doesn’t waste any time making this take care of his daughter. He personally fires Otto himself and does some accusing of his personal. He brings up that his father, Prince Baelon, was on the peak of his skills when he was immediately lifeless of a “burst belly.” After Baelon’s dying, King Jaehaerys made Otto his new Hand. Otto went from having no energy to being the second-most highly effective man in Westeros.
“You are the man who taught me how to be king,” Viserys tells Otto. He additionally accuses him of utilizing Alicent as a “calculated distraction” after Aemma’s dying, and he’s simply now realizing how manipulative Otto has been. “Your interests no longer align with those of the Realm. Your judgment has been compromised,” Viserys says. Otto stresses that he has an obligation to inform Viserys one of the best and worst of what’s occurring. Otto’s phrases fall on deaf ears. Viserys takes off Otto’s Hand of the King pin. Viserys can now not belief Otto, so he’s a goner.
Later, Grand Maester Mellos brings Rhaenyra a cup of “moon tea” from the king, and she or he’s caught off guard. “It will rid you of any unwanted consequences,” the Maester explains. Rhaenyra realizes that Viserys by no means believed her when she claimed nothing occurred. While she solely partially lied about Daemon, this moon tea may come in useful. After all, she did lie about nonetheless being a maiden.
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