House of the Dragon Episode 12: Rhaenyra the Cruel

In King's Landing, the Red Keep descends into chaos following Prince Jaehaerys' murder. King Aegon II is consumed by violent rage, hastily assembling his Small Council to demand revenge on Rhaenyra, though Lord Jasper Wylde suggests she may be innocent. Otto proposes holding a public funeral to gain the smallfolk's sympathy and turn them against Rhaenyra. During the funeral procession, commoners express condolences to Alicent and Helaena while a herald publicly denounces Rhaenyra, dubbing her "Rhaenyra the Cruel." Ser Criston Cole oversees the interrogation of the assassins; one of them, Blood, immediately confesses under threat of torture. Aegon personally executes Blood with a mace during the procession, causing the traumatized Helaena to become overstimulated. Prince Aemond discovers that coins left in his chamber have been taken and a secret passageway in his wall stands open, leading him to deduce the assassins may have been targeting him.

At Dragonstone, Rhaenyra's council discusses the funeral procession and the public accusations against her. Rhaenyra initially expresses shock that anyone would believe her capable of such an act, but quickly realizes Daemon is responsible. She confronts him privately, demanding to know if he ordered Jaehaerys' death as a contingency if Aemond could not be found. Daemon confesses to arranging Aemond's assassination through Mysaria but denies ordering the murder of anyone else, claiming his assassins acted independently. Rhaenyra accuses him of lying, noting his previous desire to spill Hightower blood, and declares she can no longer trust him. Daemon argues that he has always served her faithfully—he even placed the crown on her head himself—and insists he is departing for Harrenhal to raise an army in her name. Rhaenyra counters that he sought to lead the war response alone while she was suffering a miscarriage, and that her father was also made to doubt his loyalty. The argument escalates as Daemon storms out, departing for Harrenhal without further discussion.

Rhaenyra meets with Mysaria in the castle library, questioning her about involvement in Jaehaerys' murder. As their discussion progresses, Rhaenyra recognizes Mysaria as the woman Daemon used during the stolen dragon egg incident years before. Seeing a reflection of herself in Mysaria—both women having been used by Daemon and then discarded—Rhaenyra decides to free her and arranges passage to the Free Cities.

Rhaenyra orders Baela Targaryen to take her dragon, Moondancer, to scout King's Landing and observe the Greens' movements, though she emphasizes caution and warns that their side can afford no further mistakes. When Baela asks about her father, Rhaenyra simply states that he must choose his own path now.

That night, as Rhaenyra attempts to sleep, Ser Arryk bursts into her bedchamber with a drawn sword, threatening her. His twin brother, Ser Erryk, rushes in and the two engage in a fierce duel. Ser Lorent Marbrand arrives but, unable to distinguish the twins apart, cannot assist Erryk. Erryk kills Arryk, saving Rhaenyra's life, but overcome with grief from murdering his brother, commits suicide by falling on his own sword.