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Daemon Targaryen Relationship History

"House of the Dragon" Depicts Daemon's Complicated Relationship History

"House of the Dragon" features a tangled web of characters all vying for political and familial power, and it only gets more complicated when romantic relationships are added to the mix. At the centre of a lot of the drama is Prince Daemon Targaryen, brother to King Viserys. In both the TV show and in "Fire and Blood" (George R.R. Martin's book that provides the basis for the TV adaptation), Daemon's romantic entanglements are a focus of plenty of scheming and whispering.

So far, "House of the Dragon" is already depicting several of Daemon's notable relationships mentioned in the book. If you're curious about what still might be on the horizon — and you don't mind spoilers! — keep reading for an overview of Daemon's relationship history and how it might play out on screen.

Image Source: HBO

Mysaria

The first relationship we see Daemon have is with Mysaria, his "commoner" mistress. In the book, Mysaria does become pregnant, and Daemon attempts to steal a dragon egg for the child, but is forced to return it — an episode which is also depicted on screen in "House of the Dragon." During a rough sea voyage back to the Free City of Lys, Mysaria miscarries.

Later on, Mysaria becomes a spymaster, and during the Dance of the Dragons, she sides with Daemon and Rhaenyra, even becoming the unofficial spymaster for Rhaenyra's cause. She reportedly carries on an affair with Daemon, rumoured to even have Rhaenyra's approval at one point, and does not survive the war.

Image Source: HBO

Lady Rhea Royce

Daemon's first wife, Lady Rhea Royce, comes about as an arranged marriage at the behest of his grandmother, Queen Alysanne, when he is only 16 years old. Although the marriage is a good fit in terms of rank, with Rhea serving as the heiress of House Royce at the time, "Fire and Blood" describes the marriage as not a happy one.

The couple have no children together, and they are soon bitterly estranged, but remain married for nearly 20 years. Rhea dies after a riding accident, and Daemon is unwelcome in her home of the Vale afterward.

Image Source: HBO

Lady Laena Velaryon

Daemon's second marriage is likewise to a lady of a noble house, though it causes a scandal because it takes place without the consent of his brother, King Viserys. This time, he marries Laena Velaryon, the daughter of his old ally Corlys Velaryon and the sister of his niece Rhaenyra's husband, Laenor. In the book, the couple flee to Essos and the Free Cities after their marriage, and Laena gives birth to twin daughters, Baela and Rhaena.

The marriage appears happy enough, and when they finally return to Westeros, Laena befriends Rhaenyra, and they even agree to betroth Laena's daughters to Rhaenyra's sons. However, just a few years later, Laena dies in childbirth, and Daemon is widowed with two young children.

Image Source: HBO

Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen

In the book "Fire and Blood," rumours abound for many years about the exact nature of the relationship between Daemon and his niece Rhaenyra. Some believe that he was Rhaenyra's first lover, while others suggest that he simply taught her the art of seduction so she could pursue Ser Criston Cole.

"House of the Dragon" offers the "real" story behind it all, which combines a little bit of both major rumours. Daemon takes Rhaenyra to a brothel and kisses her, but stops the encounter before they actually have sex. A frustrated Rhaenyra then returns home and sleeps with Criston, and when rumours about her and Daemon spread, Daemon offers to marry her but is instead banished by Viserys.

In any case, their relationship goes on the back burner for many years, as both marry other people and have children with them. After the death of Laena, as well as Rhaenyra's husband Laenor, Rhaenyra and Daemon quickly begin a relationship and marry just six months later. Once again, the marriage causes a scandal since it is performed without King Viserys's knowledge and approval. The couple have two sons, Aegon and Viserys, and Daemon becomes Rhaenyra's supporter during the Dance of the Dragons.

Although neither Daemon nor Rhaenyra survive the civil war, their legacy lives on in their descendants, who remain on the throne until the end of the Targaryen dynasty centuries later.

Image Source: HBO

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