#and i at least think it’s quite clear he wants to be viserys’ consort

[fruitageoforanges]

my conspiracy theory is that part of daemon’s strained relationship with baela in f&b (not sure to what extent they’re going to go down that route in the show, especially as they seem to be somewhat butchering baela + rhaena) is due to gender envy.

[averillaratargaryen]

‘The Bitter Bond.’

Chapter IX

“So what exactly is the reason we are staying here longer?” Joffrey asks his mother.

“Unfortunately, your grandfather is not well” Rhaenyra sighed.

“But he seemed to be fine two days ago, when we went for the hunt” Jacerys pointed out.

“It is not something visible. At least not yet” Rhaenyra responded.

“But that is why we must stay here, so that we can keep an eye out for him, in case others try to.. meddle in, and have him be worse” Daemon indirectly comments toward the Hightowers.

Rhaenyra looked toward Daemon with a sigh, to stop him from being snarky, before looking toward Daerlyssa.

“I know you wished to leave” Rhaenyra told her.

“It’s fine. It is understandable and this time, you have at least told me your reasons for us staying” Daerlyssa responds.

“Now that Grandfather’s unwell, would you have to get married?” Joffrey turns to face his sister, “what if it is his dying wish?”

“He is not dying, Joffrey” Daemon’s palm wiped itself across Daemons face, as he held his laughter in.

“No. It does not mean that” Daerlyssa responds, “I hope he is to get better but this marriage he wants, will not take place.”

The kids all sigh, as they look at one another, whilst Rhaenyra and Daemon look to one another in worry.

-

After the discussion, Daerlyssa had made her way back to her chamber, finding Ser Harold stood, his eyes closed slightly.

“Ser Harold?” Daerlyssa called out.

“Oh, sorry Princess” Ser Harold called out, his eyes drowsy.

Daerlyssa tiptoes toward him, placing her palm against his head.

“Your head is burning” Daerlyssa looked at him with worry, “you should rest.”

“It is quite alright” Ser Harold responded, “I must stay on watch, and keep you safe.”

“Ser Harold, you are sick. You must rest. I will be fine” Daerlyssa complained, “I will not have you stand here when you are unwell.”

“I do not..” his words trailed off, before he felt his knees weaken.

Daerlyssa managed to keep him held up, as his eyes drooped, closing slowly, as he mumbled words Daerlyssa could not seem to make out.

She guided him into her room, before laying him on her bed.

His head continued to burn up, the temperature of his cheeks rising.

“Daerlyssa, do you have a moment-?” She heard her name being called, before turning around to find the Queen consort at her door.

Alicent stood at her door, getting a clear view of Ser Harold on her bed.

“What is going on?” She looked to Daerlyssa in suspicion.

“It is not what you think. Ser Harold is a father to me” Daerlyssa cleared the accusations she knew Alicent would hold against her, given her facial expression, “he is not well and had passed out, outside my door. I could not leave him there.”

“Then perhaps he is in need of a maester” Alicent responds, before looking behind, giving her order to Ser Criston Cole.

Turning back toward her, Alicent then stepped into her bedroom, looking around, in wonder.

“Is there something I can help you with?” Daerlyssa asks.

“Yes, there is” Alicent looked towards her, harshly, “I wish to know your reasons on denying Aegon’s proposal. You claim he is a good man and yet-!”

“He is a good man. He has made me feel welcome, and he is kind. But I can not marry him. I do not love him” Daerlyssa responds.

“Marriage is not done for love. It is done for security. Nothing but a political arrangement” Alicent looks to her, still confused on the rejection given to her son.

“And are you happy, with that security? Does my grandfather keep you content?” Daerlyssa questions her.

Yet Alicent could not answer, for she knew the truth. Nothing about marrying Viserys, has made her happy.

Brushing Daerlyssa’s question, she shifts the subject back to her son, “is it because of his nature? From what I am aware, he surely has told you.”

“His nature?” Daerlyssa chuckled, “there is nothing wrong with his nature, to be a reason for me not to marry him. Just like me, I am not who he loves. He should marry who he will love, and treat well.”

“He must marry, to get such foolish wishes out his head!” Alicent pleads.

“Do you know the damage you would cause, should you force him to marry a woman?” Daerlyssa asks, “bastard children. And from what I am aware, you seem to consider them monstrous.”

Alicent stood silently, realising the truth in Daerlyssa’s statement.

“You have damaged one family. You mustn’t damage another. Your own son’s, at least” Daerlyssa pleads, “be his mother. Love him for who he is.”

“Your grace” Alicent was greeted from the maester, “you called for me.”

“I did” Daerlyssa interrupted, looking away from Alicent, welcoming the maester’s in, to have a look at Ser Harold.

Alicent watched silently, before turning around, to Ser Cole, who stood waiting.

In defeat, she walked off, Ser Cole following behind her.

“I do not know what I can do” Alicent sighed, “no one will marry Aegon. Eventually, his father will either behead him, or he will die from drowning in his cups.”

“What was her reasons for being close to him, if she does not wish to pursue him?” Ser Cole scoffs, “just as her mother-!”

“Do not” Alicent stops, to turn and face him, “I know what has happened in the past, but do not mention it.”

Ser Cole nods, before watching Alicent walk off.

But he stayed stood behind, looking back to Daerlyssa’s chamber.

She knew something was going on, given the looks he noticed Aemond give her.

The tension of the two being close to one another.

Familiarily, it reminded him of his occurrence with Rhaenyra, and her affair between both, him and Daemon.

Ser Cole took it upon himself to make sure Daerlyssa would not hurt them the way Rhaenyra had did him.

He had to make sure, she would receive the message.

-

After hearing the maesters decision, to let Ser Harold rest, she had given permission to have him lay in her room, given that she would have to share a chamber with her brother, Jacerys.

Walking into his chamber, she was disturbed by the sound of Jacerys’ snores, as he lay with his legs and arms all over the bed.

With a sigh, she turned around, closing his chamber door behind her, wondering where she could sleep. Until she realised a comfortable place.

Her grandfather’s library.

…

Walking toward it, she noticed there was no one guarding, giving her the indication that no one would be inside.

With excitement, she hurried along, before rushing in, closing the doors behind her.

A restful sigh then escaped her, when she looked around, to the quietness, and the warmth.

Whilst she believed it to be just a chair, Daerlyssa tossed her blanket onto Aemond’s chair, before she decided to have a look through the library, finding something that would be interesting to read.

Many books were solely based on the history of Old Valyria and Westeros.

Until she had come across one, that caught her eye.

There wasn’t a title, nor was their an any indication as to what it could be, given the cover was a simple red velvet.

Daerlyssa had opened up the page, to a book that seemed to be handwritten.

In the garden where shadows creep,

Beneath the moon’s watchful, silver sweep,

There blooms a rose of midnight hue,

A flower kissed by night’s cold dew.

Its petals curl, a silken shade,

A crown of darkness, deftly made.

No crimson blush, no golden glow,

But secrets only shadows know.

Whence it came, no one can tell,

A token born of heaven or hell.

A lover’s grief, a mourner’s sigh,

A silent star that fell from the sky.

Its fragrance whispers—soft, yet grim,

A song of loss, a requiem hymn.

It speaks of love too deep to fade,

And wounds the heart, yet unafraid.

Oh, black rose, in twilight’s hand,

A mystery time can’t withstand.

You bloom where sorrow dares to tread,

A beauty found where tears are shed.

Daerlyssa read out the first page, realising it was a book on poetry.

Flickering through, she had come across many poems, yet they all seemed to have a similar feeling, of darkness, with each topic.

Until the last that was filled, and the most recent that was written.

“Her purple eyes..?” Daerlyssa read out the title to the poem, before her eyes began to scan down the page.

Your eyes, twin stars of violet flame,

Burn through the darkness, whisper my name.

Infinite skies within their glow,

A realm of wonder only I know.

Each glance, a spell, a tender snare,

Their depth as wild as your silver hair.

Cascading waves, a moonlit stream,

A haunting beauty born of a dream.

Your porcelain cheeks, so soft, divine,

A face that poets would claim as shrine.

But it’s your gaze that steals my breath,

A love that conquers life and death.

Daerlyssa looked at the page blankly, wondering who it could possibly be about.

But what intrigued her more, was the author, to such loving words. It could not possibly be anyone she knows.

She would not find her family capable to write such meaningful words.

“That does not belong to you” Ser Criston spoke, causing her to jump in fear, not realising he was stood in front of her.

The book had slipped out her hand, and onto the floor in front of her.

“Did I startle you?” Ser Criston asks.

“Yes!” Daerlyssa shouted back, “what is wrong with you?”

“I apologise, Princess” Ser Criston then bent down, to pick up the book Daerlyssa had dropped, placed it back into the shelf, “but you should not be reading the work of others.”

“Why? Do you know whose work it is?” Daerlyssa asks.

“Even if I did, it is not my place to say” Ser Criston responded.

“Right” Daerlyssa nods, “well, I will just get back to- yep!”

She pointed forward, before walking off, Ser Criston following behind.

“Should you not be in your chamber, Princess?” He asks.

“Ser Harold will rest there tonight. I was told of the spare bed in my brother’s room, however I do not find that comfortable. My brother snores awfully loud. So I have decided to sleep here tonight” Daerlyssa sat at the chair, before placing the blanket above her.

“You can not do that” Ser Cole responded.

“Why not?” Daerlyssa asks, “it is just a library, which no one uses.”

“Both, Prince Aemond and Prince Aegon use this library” Ser Cole corrects her.

“Well they are in their chambers right now, and I will be gone by morning” Daerlyssa looked up at him confused, “I do not understand your pressure.”

“This is Prince Aemond’s chair” Ser Cole pointed out.

“What?” Daerlyssa shrieked, looking up, “since when did he own a chair?”

“It was gifted from his mother, as she knew he loved to read” Ser Cole responds.

“Hmm” Daerlyssa nods, “well perhaps tonight, keep this between me and you, yes?”

Daerlyssa placed the blanket above her, as she closed her eyes, hoping Ser Cole would leave her alone.

But she was wrong to trust him in the first place.

Ser Cole looked toward her, letting out a low scoff, before he took it in his hands to rip off the blanket that covered her.

Daerlyssa opened her eyes in shock, her immediate reaction being confused, “what are you doing?”

“I said you can not be here. Get out” Ser Cole responded.

“Who are you to tell me where I can or can’t be?” Daerlyssa responds.

“I am the Queen’s trusted guard” Ser Cole responds, “you answer me with respect, and do as you are told.”

“You are a guard. I am a princess, I do not need to tell you where your place stands” Daerlyssa responds, before she stood up, “and from what I have heard, you are Ser Cole. My mother chose you, be very wise with your next words.”

“Do you think you scare me, Princess?” He smirked, “you are just as your mother. A whore-!”

Daerlyssa was quick to defend her mother’s honour, as she slapped him across his cheek, with a full force, “my mother is your future Queen. How dare you?”

The slap caused Ser Cole’s cheek to tighten, as he felt himself fuming in anger.

“You are a trusted guard to the Queen consort, your value means nothing. Don’t you dare disrespect us again” Daerlyssa warns him.

But Ser Cole would not take her warnings with a clear head, himself feeling downplayed by her slap, causing him to feel more infuriated than before.

He took a step back, drawing his sword before her.

“Oh yes, please” she clapped, responding with sarcasm, “murder a Princess of Dragonstone, and it’ll set you free.”

“Murder?” Ser Cole scoffed, “no, I plan to do worse.”

Daerlyssa looked at him, confused by his smirk, before feeling the daggering pain of the sword’s scratch against her shoulder, as Ser Cole had ripped her dress.

-

“I can’t seem to find it” Aemond muttered, roaming his drawers.

“Find what?” Aegon asks, as he buttons up his cloak.

“My book, I- I swear, I had left it here” Aemond stood up, looking toward him, “have you seen it?”

“Oh you mean the book you hid this in?” Aegon held up Daerlyssa’s undelivered raven.

“How do you have that?” Aemond reaches out to snatch the raven out his brothers hand, only to fail when Aegon held it away further.

“Nuh uh” Aegon shook his head, “first you must tell me why you have this?”

“It is not your business” Aemond glared at him.

“Oh but it is” Aegon responds, “not only have you stopped Daerlyssa from hearing a response from her friend, you then go on to embarrass her. At first I thought you probably have some sort of crush. But now?.. now I think it is just a plain cruel game.”

“I just wished to read it. It is not my fault the maester left without taking it” Aemond defends himself.

“But why was your intention to look at it in the first place?” Aegon asks, “you do not truly like her, do you?”

“I just-!” Aemond sighs, “I do not know.”

“Aemond!” Aegon exclaimed.

“I know, I know” Aemond sighed as he sat on his bed.

“Then that day?.. why did you do it?” Aegon asked.

“She is not ready to experience stuff like that” Aemond responds.

“But that is not for you to decide” Aegon scoffs, “she clearly stated she was ready only for you to leave her and now you are claiming she was not ready?”

“I do not need a reminder” Aemond rolled his eyes.

“Lord Cregan Stark is good for her. You should not have done this” Aegon held up the raven in his hand, “I am send this to him tonight. Do not mess this up for her.”

Aegon then leaves through the back door of Aemond’s chamber, making his way out, without informing him where his book might be.

“Aegon wait!” Aemond called out.

But Aegon had already ran off.

Aemond could not help but stress, if his mother was to find that book, and what was written in it. She knew his handwriting well enough, to know it is him.

And for her to find out the poems he has written, his mother would go bersek.

He held his head in panic, before he realised, the library.

…

As Aemond was making his way, he found himself wondering if Aegon would ever tell Daerlyssa, of what he had done.

Whilst him and his brother were loyal to one another, Aemond knew how deeply Aegon cared for his friendship with Daerlyssa.

She was the first person to ever stop him from drinking, and having himself become a better person, only after knowing him for a month.

He owes her loyalty, just as much, given that she had done that for him. Whilst Aemond was unable to accomplish such a thing, being a man who could not express his feelings well.

As he continued to walk ahead, toward the library door, his ears perked to the sounds of mumbling, followed by a low cry.

He continued to follow the noise, before turning to the library doors, realising it was coming from inside.

…

“What are you doing?” Daerlyssa cried out, as she was sat below Ser Cole, “let me go!”

“Not until I show you what it means, to be a whore” Ser Cole responded, fighting back Daerlyssa’s wavering hands, that tried its best to stop him.

“Stop!” Daerlyssa kicked her feet back and fourth, as she noticed the look in Ser Cole’s eyes. One of force, and evil, as he pressed her hands against the floor, to each side.

With a chuckle, he smiled at her, before he whispered, “I will not let the boys suffer the same fate.”

Daerlyssa continued to sob, as she wriggled her hands under his grip, her legs continuing to to kick, as her head shook from side to side.

She felt her worst nightmare becoming true, as Ser Cole had forced himself upon her, his lips touching against her jaw, as she whimpered from the fright within.

Closing her eyes, she almost found herself accepting defeat, as her tears began to fall out, whilst she looked away, her eyes tightly shut.

“Get off!” Daerlyssa heard a shout, from what sounded like Aemond’s voice, before feeling Ser Cole’s force loosen from her.

As she opened her eyes, she kicked her legs up, supporting her to sit back, as she looked toward Aemond in fear.

But he was still yet to witness her looking at him, as Aemond had Cole a matter to attend, as he punched him harshly, across his cheek.

Aemond looked down at him, his shock mixed with disgust and a tinge of fury, before he turned to look at Daerlyssa.

The Princess sat, with a heavy breath and heart, as she held whatever she could, to cover her breasts, due to what had just happened, believing that her time was almost up.

She began to give up, without any hope of being saved and yet, Aemond stood before her, his harsh eye softening as he looked her way, before taking off his jacket.

Placing it around her shoulders, he helped her up, thanking the gods he managed to get to her in time.

Looking ahead, and away from Daerlyssa, Aemond had not noticed her gaze toward him, as she could not help but feel thankful, but confused to see Aemond stood before her, helping her.

“I will get you a maester” Aemond responds, without looking away, as he helps her out the library, heading to his chamber.

-

Daerlyssa sat on Aemond’s bed, her breasts no longer being covered as the maesters took their time in trying their best, to heal her wounds.

“How did it happen?” Aemond asks, looking at her from the opposite side of the room.

But Daerlyssa did not respond. She sat silently, staring into the distance, due to the traumatic event.

“These cuts are deep, Prince Aemond” The maester informed him, “it is clear that the Princess has been wounded by a sword.”

Aemond observed her face, noticing the fear in her eyes, and tremble across her lips, as she stared into the distance. It made him realise, that something must be done, for what Ser Cole has caused.

It was eventual, before the maester had left, after attending to Daerlyssa’s wounds, leaving Aemond alone with her.

“Daerlyssa, speak to me” he whispered, walking toward her.

Yet she could not speak, nor look in his direction, as she felt her dignity wash away, right before him.

She felt less, in front of him, more than before.

Aemond knew she would not answer, but he needed her to at least acknowledge his existence.

To look in her direction, is what he needed. Just one look, for him to determine what must be done.

“Look at me” he held her face, with both palms cradling her cheeks.

She let out a soft whimper, as her eyes filled with tears.

“Daerlyssa look at me. Please” he yearned for her, to turn his way.

She slowly turned to face him, her eyes delaying to look up at his, until her eyes met with his lone one.

“Do you trust me?” Aemond asks.

She stared at him blankly, before his eye averted to the single tear drop that rolled down her soft cheek.

Looking back at her, he noticed the look in her eyes, and no longer wished to ask the question, but rather demanded it from her, “you have to trust me.”

Looking into her eyes, he held her face up toward him, with gentleness, searching her eyes for answers, before she blinked, looking away from him.

It was all that he needed, to know what he must do.

“The maester called for me, what-?” Helena rushed in, before looking over to her niece, “Daerlyssa? What has happened?”

Worry was across her face as she approached Daerlyssa, as Aemond let go of her face, taking a step back.

He looked between both her brother, and Daerlyssa who both looked at one another, before Aemond broke their contact, turning toward Helena, “stay with her.”

Daerlyssa watched, as he walked out, before looking toward Helena, no longer holding back the fear she held inside, hugging her tightly.

-

As the next morning arrived, Aemond made his way down, to find his family gathered.

Alicent, who fiddled with her necklace as she looked around, before her eyes met to her son.

She walked toward Aemond in a hurry, pulling him away from approaching his family.

“Do you know about this?” Alicent asks.

“About what?” Aemond asks.

“About Cole!” Alicent whispered harshly.

“What has happened to Cole?” Aemond responds, a tinge of sarcasm in his tone that goes unnoticed.

“He was found dead, in your father’s library. Stabbed, by his own sword” Alicent looked at Aemond in fear, “I can not help but wonder that someone is responsible, whilst your father had comprehended a suicide.”

“I would not look into it mother. I believe our father is right” Aemond responded coldly.

“Aemond, he was your friend. You can not think him to do something like this, can you?” Alicent asks.

“No, we can not” Aemond responds.

“On top of that, your sister’s daughter, Daerlyssa, did not sleep at her brothers chamber last night. I do not have any idea what is going on?” Alicent cried out in frustration.

“Daerlyssa is with Helena” Aemond responds.

“What? Why?” Alicent asks, “how do you know about this?”

“Helena asked that I come down and let our sister know. Daerlyssa had slept with her, the night” Aemond responds.

He turns to walk away from his mother, toward the others, informing Rhaenyra on Daerlyssa’s whereabouts.

And it was not long after, that Daerlyssa and Helena made their way down.

Whilst feeling distraught, Daerlyssa played a small smile on her face, as she walked toward Rhaenyra.

“I have been so worried about you” Rhaenyra held her daughter tightly.

“She could not sleep last night, and asked to lay beside me. I’m sorry, we should have told you” Helena apologised.

“How is Ser Harold?” Daerlyssa looked to her mother.

“He is better. Currently on duty elsewhere, but he should be back soon” Rhaenyra explained.

“Ser Criston Cole is dead” Lucerys blurted out.

“What?” Daerlyssa almost shrieked.

“He was found with his sword in his chest. From what we heard” Jacerys shrugged.

Rhaenyra shushes her children, as she looks at them with a glare, “stop.”

Daerlyssa turns around, looking toward Aemond who stood far, at the opposite end, away from her, engaging in a conversation beside her brother.

She watched him from afar, confused as to what had happened last night, after Aemond had left her.

He asked for her trust but she did not expect such drastic measures.

She did not know what to think of the situation, nor could she speak on it.

But she had come to realise the type of person Aemond is. A man who kills.

He has killed, for her.

And she could not help but feel grateful toward it.

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

chapter 10

[where-dreams-dwell]

Daemon Targaryen's Potential (1/2)

I think I can see what they're trying to do with Daemons character of HOTD but there are such better vessels for self exploration and character development that have been squandered.

Season 1 Daemon is (in hindsight) trying to find himself; he's lashing out and fighting wars, he's trying to force Viserys and the world to give him what he wants, he's trying on being a husband and father while being half a world from the rest of his family, and he's finally basking in marrying the woman he loves and creating a family with her. He's a bit all over the place but we can trace the character growth through his actions and decisions.

But in the Season Finale we finally see the cracks in Daemon as a person, and in his relationship with Rhaenyra. These are areas where no pressure has been placed yet and so they didn't realize that when they were tested they would buckle slightly. Its great and engaging TV, and understandable with Daemon's character progression that these areas had not been explored or challenged until that time. And it adds further worries to Rhaenyra's faction as a ruler and a wife that one of her supposed strongest supporters and source of strength isn't actually as secure as previously thought.

Firstly, Daemons sense of self is challenged when he realizes his brother never viewed him as his heir or a legitimate successor to the Iron Throne. Daemon has stated time and again he doesn't want the throne and the narrative supports that, but its likely a small part of him cherished that for a time he was the heir and his brothers successor. To learn that Viserys never thought of him in that way was devastating, and we know this Daemons physically chokes his wife as he learns it. This is the first distance of violence we have seen towards Rhaenyra personally and towards a wife he cares about (he did kill his first wife Rhea but he made it clear he didn't respect or care for her at all, so in Daemons mind this wouldn't have been a shocking action). This reaction, of violence towards someone he has shown in word and deed that he values and loves, is actually quite out of character and emphasizes how shocked and distraught he is at learning of his brothers 'betrayal' of him.

Secondly his sense of self as a husband is challenged when Rhaenyra is laboring to deliver their daughter Visenya. The narrative implies that this is an unexpected and early birth, so no one is expecting it to end well even putting aside the baby's deformities, but Daemon chooses to prioritize the political and logistical aspects of his role as King-Consort and not the personal one. Even when his wife is crying out for him, when his step-son pleads with him to go to her, he still prioritizes the 'duty' of being a leader and husband of the Queen over that of a husband to a wife. We are shown Daemon as a devoted father to Baela and Rhaena, and as a husband to Leana he prioritized her choice and care over that of medical professionals. This change in behavior when a position of leadership or power was included in the mix is an intriguing development in Daemon's attitude as a father and husband.

And finally his self of self as a leader or ruler of men is challenged when it is made clear that while he is valued for his ideas and input, the final decision will rest with his wife as she is Queen. This is both a change of Daemon personally, as at least since their marriage he and Rhaenyra are shown to either be in agreement on all fronts or to make decisions jointly, and also the same situation he was in when Viserys was king; every decision had to be run through his brother. This is a stark wake up call for Daemon that he will not be able to make decisions independently and unilaterally on his own, and his power once again comes as an extension of someone else. Its likely that even if he knew this academically, it is another thing to be living it and especially at a time of crisis.

Daemon then encounters a crisis of faith in Season 2 Ep 1 in that his view of Rhaenyra is fundamentally challenged, both as a ruler and as a person. Rhaenyra's reaction to her sons death is fundamentally different to how Daemon would react if he were in her position, or so he believes, and he thinks less of her as a result of this. Daemon, as a father, would react more violently to his son being killed and when Rhaenyra doesn't he thinks less of her as a parent; in his view this is the wrong way to grieve the loss of a child. Daemon, as a ruler, would react more vindictively and in a retaliatory fashion against those who had taken his child from him and Rhaenyra isn't doing so; in his view this makes her look weak as a ruler, and undermines her ability to rule and so is again the wrong way to be acting. His faith in her as a Queen is crumbling every time she doesn't do as he would if he were in the chair, especially as he views them as so alike and as 'twin flames'; his frustration grows as he is not allowed to act and the one who is allowed isn't doing what he thinks they should.

This isn't to say that Daemon is right or that Rhaenyra is wrong in this; Daemon thinks the way he would react is just 'the right way' to do so and Rhaeny's is the one who councils him that not only is Rhaenyra's reaction to everything both understandable and acceptable (and that she grieved in the same way herself) but that at the end of the day it doesn't matter if Daemon feels he would act differently; he is not the King and never will be so it is pointless to speculate. Rhaenyra is the Queen and so their role is not to try and make her grieve or act differently but to support her actions in that grief.

Daemons actions with Blood and Cheese are a reaction to all of these criseis, of self and of faith, and is Daemon once again acting selfishly and lashing out; only this time the consequences of his actions will be direct and damaging. In reaction to not being able to act without his wife's oversight, in reaction to him feeling Rhaenyra is not acting violently and decisively enough as a ruler and as a mother, Daemon acts both independently and violently, and it immediately backfires. The Greens fumble the bag a bit with the PR opportunity he gives them but his actions could have cost Rhaenyra allies, support, and even eventually the war itself. His selfish actions hurt and undermine Rhaenyra as a ruler, and their relationships is shown to be weaker and more flawed than either of them had thought it to be.

And in that final scene of confrontation it shows that Daemons own actions have always been his downfall, and that again none of his struggles are new information; Rhaenyra was always going to be Queen, Daemon was always going to act as the support to her rule, and yet everything he is doing is eroding her trust and reliance upon him. Time away for him to realize his flaws and re-commit to the life and position that he knowingly chose will make their partnership strong enough to survive the imminent tragedies looming on the (metaphorical) horizon, and make their love feel doomed enough when The Dance reaches it conclusion. That final arc will not hit hard enough if half of the people watching don't truly believe Daemon supports his wife 100% so now is the time to put in the character work and exorcise those doubts.