House of the Dragon episode 9 saw the Hightowers and the Green Council plotting against Rhaenyra and the blacks. After the death of Viserys, his succession was called into question. Due to Queen Alicent’s misunderstanding of King Viserys’ last words, she too is now supporting Aegon’s claim to the Iron Throne. In fact, House of the Dragon episode 9 ends with all of King’s Landing gathering at the hall of the Red Keep for Aegon II Targaryen’s coronation. Ser Criston Cole places the crown on Aegon’s head as the people of the realm cheer. However, the big question is how will Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon react to this outrageous usurping of the Iron Throne.
Otto Hightower’s plan for Princess Rhaenyra and her children
Ser Otto Hightower and most of the small council have been plotting Aegon’s ascension to the Iron Throne for years. In fact, they have planned every single step. Right from hiding the death of King Viserys to dealing with the supporters of Rhaenyra, the small council were not afraid to take bold decisions. In fact, they were even ready to mercilessly kill Princess Rhaenyra, Prince Daemon and all her children. This was obviously to secure the Iron Throne for Aegon II and remove the possibility of any and all challenges to his rule.
Otto Hightower even asks Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Harrold Westerling to go to Dragonstone and finish the deed, quickly and cleanly. However, as we already know, Otto Hightower does not succeed in his plans. Princess Rhaenyra and her line live on. Furthermore, Queen Alicent opposes her father’s ruthlessness and does not believe in such a drastic measure.
What do Queen Alicent and Aegon have in mind?
Ever since Ser Otto Hightower suggested the murder of Princess Rhaenyra and her children, Queen Alicent heavily opposed this decision. In her perspective, King Viserys would have never wanted his daughter killed over the succession of the Iron Throne. Moreover, Alicent did not want to kill Princess Rhaenyra, who was a dear friend to her when they were younger. Contrary to the rest of the greens, Alicent still had some heart and humanity left within her. She was not yet capable of cold murder. She passed on her want to her son and future king Aegon. Their plan was to send a peace offering to Rhaenyra and Daemon in Dragonstone. One that would benefit them enough so that they accept it.
What will happen to them after House of the Dragon episode 9?
Currently, Rhaenyra and Daemon aren’t aware of the fact that King Viserys has passed. However, Ser Erryk Cargyll and Princess Rhaenys will probably change this. Ser Erryk has clearly announced his intentions to support the blacks and has sneaked out of the Red Keep. He is most likely headed to Dragonstone to alert Rhaenyra and Daemon of the happenings in the Red Keep. Princess Rhaenys too has fled King’s Landing on he back of her dragon Meleys.
The two, Rhaenyra and Daemon, will clearly be outraged regarding the fact that they were kept in the dark about the death of the King. They were sidelined throughout the entire process and their supporters in court were brutally murdered. Naturally, there is no peace offering in the world that Rhaenyra and Daemon will ever accept. Instead, they will gather whatever allies they have remaining and declare Rhaenyra as the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Together they will challenge Aegon’s claim and the Dance of the Dragons will begin.