HOTD | King of the Narrow Sea

Rhaenyra travels to Storm's End where she meets and rejects countless suitors. She returns to King's Landing just as Prince Daemon arrives from the Stepstones on his dragon, Caraxes. Daemon says he was named "King of the Narrow Sea" but swears allegiance to King Viserys and gives the king his crown. As the reunited brothers celebrate at a feast, Queen Alicent confides her loneliness to Rhaenyra, who misses their friendship. Late at night, Rhaenyra, disguised as a boy, sneaks out with Daemon to explore King's Landing; they drink, attend a bawdy play, and visit a brothel where Daemon seduces a willing Rhaenyra, but abandons her before they have sex. Returning to the Red Keep, Rhaenyra seduces Ser Criston. A spy informs Ser Otto about Daemon and Rhaenyra's exploits. Alicent overhears Ser Otto telling the king. She privately questions Rhaenyra, who denies having had sex with Daemon. The king angrily confronts Daemon, who seemingly confirms the accusations and proposes that he wed Rhaenyra. Viserys claims Daemon only wants the marriage to gain the crown, then exiles his brother back to the Vale. To avoid scandal, Viserys orders Rhaenyra to marry Ser Laenor Velaryon. The king dismisses Ser Otto as his Hand, at Rhaenyra's insistence, feeling that Otto has manipulated him for personal gain. The king has Grand Maester Mellos give Rhaenyra a precautionary abortifacient tea.