House of the Dragon
This article contains major spoilers forHouse of the Dragon . House of the Dragon ’s " The Lord of the Tides " fundamentally changed the relationships between several principal characters , but none were as of import and dynamic as Viserys and Rhaenyra ’s . Unlike the King ’s relationship with his other three children with Alicent , Rhaenyra was clearly his favorite child , systematically defending her and remaining inexorable that she was his heir .
While that conclusion may stanch from Viserys ' guilt from losing his first and only love , he always had Rhaenyra ’s interest in mind and did what he could to be a good father to her . Despite a rocky start , Viserys and Rhaenyra were like any Padre and girl , dealing with their differences and oversee to reconcile before the former ’s death .
Aemma’s Funeral
Rhaenyra farm up conceive that her father never have a go at it her as much as he would a Word . Her mother ’s end confirmed that for her because Viserys seemed to appraise a son over his married woman . On top of that , Viserys did n’t know how to connect with her , so they were not a joined front at Aemma ’s funeral .
While the two always loved each other , this was belike the most distant they ever were inHouse of the Dragon . Rhaenyra had to be the grownup , perch the funeral pyre and receive no comfort from her only aliveness parent . In their grief , they drifted aside instead of coming together .
Viserys Named Rhaenyra Heir
While it ’s toilsome to know whether Viserys key out Rhaenyra his successor due to belief in her or simply his disgust withDaemon that complicated their relationship , it was a critical point in the father - daughter kinship . In particular , Viserys finally seemed to acknowledge Rhaenyra as his child and his legacy .
For the first time in her animation , Rhaenyra was truly seen by Viserys . He broke all traditions to publicly support her and proved he mean it by sharing the enigma of Aegon ’s vaticination in secret . However , a future Word still loomed over their kinship , as Rhaenyra could well be discarded .
Rhaenyra Struggled To Be Treated Like The Heir
Rhaenyra may have been appoint Heir , but Viserys did n’t treat her like it , a change fromFire & Bloodthat made their relationship more complicated . Being a cupbearer at Council meeting might have been an honor as the princess , but the successor should have a seat at the table .
Viserys was openly dismissive of Rhaenyra ’s ideas , which gave everyone else permission to mock her as well . Daemon was Master of Coin for a yr , Master of Laws for several months , and then Commander of the City Watch , yet Rhaenyra was not permitted to speak . This hypocrisy head her to defy Viserys and get back the steal dragon egg herself as a way of showing that her opinion should count .
Conflict Between Father And Daughter
While it seemed like Rhaenyra and Viserys ’s relationship was getting on the right track politically , Rhaenyra was deeply betrayed by Viserys ’s pick to marry her best champion , especially since neither of them say her about it beforehand . In plus , she was certain it was only a matter of time before Aegon was named inheritor .
Because of this , Viserys and Rhaenyra got into petty engagement , with Rhaenyra refusing to join him in celebration . This intensify when she learn he think to marry her off because it seemed like another step in getting rid of her . She was insecure about her place with him , and he was blind to her needs .
Viserys Promised Not To Replace Rhaenyra
Once Viserys understood what was causing the conflict between himself and Rhaenyra , he did his best to determine it . He could n’t un - hook up with Alicent , but he did make a commitment to keep Rhaenyra as his heir . They were capable to pass on openly and rationally , which helped heal old wounds .
As a way of showing his commitment , he told her that she could choose who she married . Marriage was important to solidify her call , but by offering her that selection , he was able to assure her of his love for Aemma and put trust in her to take on important responsibleness .
Viserys And Rhaenyra Made Compromises
Despite being themost trusty grapheme inHouse of the Dragon , Viserys tried ordering Rhaenyra around , and he sample giving her freedom . When neither worked , he ordered her to wed Laenor . She gibe , but thrust him to fire Otto . Though they did n’t openly call it a dialogue , that was on the nose what it flex into , with both agree to what the other said was necessary .
Viserys Was Trapped Between Rhaenyra And Alicent
After the metre leap , Rhaenyra had a place on the Small Council , but so did Alicent . Viserys , both visually and politically , was between the two , trying to find a compromise . While that tension was clearly drain for him , it was understandably the customary state of thing by that point .
Rhaenyra did propose an alliance between her son and Alicent ’s daughter , which Viserys seemed to take as a deliberate sweat to ease the tension he had to manage . Because of that , Viserys seemed to be on Rhaenyra ’s side more than Alicent ’s because she was actually trying to bring home the bacon a solution .
Viserys Sided With Rhaenyra Over Alicent
While Viserys did everything he could to remain neutral in the warfare between Rhaenyra and Alicent , Aemond losing his eye forces him to find fault a side . Alicent demands Luke ’s heart be get hold of as punishment , and Viserys refuse . Rhaenyra insist Aemond be question about calling her sons unlawful , and he does so .
While Viserys did n’t cast Alicent or her child aside , he did protect Rhaenyra ’s children , despite the illegitimacy claims being true , and Aemond was permanently disfigured . Those action spoke louder than any words of neutrality and were a major high point for his relationship with Rhaenyra .
Rhaenyra Begged Viserys To Make His Will Clear
After age of combat to ensure she inherit the potty after King Viserys dies , witness him on his deathbed made Rhaenyra have second thought . Although Rhaenyra was one of the betterHouse of the Dragoncharacters who ’d rule well , she escort the toll , physical and emotional , that being business leader had on her father , and knew that the burden would be enceinte for her .
Knowing all of that , Rhaenyra asked Viserys to make up one’s mind . For the first time , it seemed like Rhaenyra would accept mislay her position if that was what her father thought was good . In spite of every conflict and estrangement between them , Rhaenyra puts her future in his script , pronounce , " If you like me to bear it , then fend for me . "
Viserys Attempted To Give Rhaenyra His Support On His Death Bed
ask her sire what he wanted was Rhaenyra ’s braggart motion of love , and Viserys support that she should be Queen . woefully , he communicated it too late , too vaguely , and to the wrong person . Despite that misinterpretation , Viserys ' words in that minute are decisive to their human relationship .
Viserys adjudicate to tell Rhaenyra that he believed in her in every way , even believing that she was the prophesied " Prince That Was Promised . " Those words clear up every misunderstanding and every conflict between them , confirming his love and religion in her . Unfortunately for all , she did n’t have the message , leaving his feelings for her ( and the fate of the land ) in Alicent ’s hand .
NEXT : King Viserys ' 10 Most Important Relationships In House Of The Dragon ( & How They Turned Out )
