Rhaenyra will also support Rhaenys decision to spare their lives because of her wish to become a ruler that everyone loves, not a tyrant. Killing them would have evaded the war, but the people would only remember Rhaenyra as the ruthless queen who wanted to sit on the Iron Throne.
A taboo against kinslaying — and kingslaying
There's another consequential factor in Rhaenys' decision. While not noted much in the show, in the “Thrones” universe, it's considered taboo to kill someone in your own family.
Simply put, Rhaenys is familiar with family tragedy, and likely doesn't wish to inflict that on others, especially not those within her own extended family. The grief and damage caused to the last two High Valyrian houses is simply too great a wound to inflict.
To Rhaenys, however, it was a chance to show her power and show her mercy. Like when Alicent came to her to beg for her support, Rhaenys is hoping her message helps them all avoid needless bloodshed. As such, not killing Aegon and the Green Council is a decision that works on both a personal and character level.
Because according to one of the writers on the show, Sara Hess, Rhaenyra spared Alicent and her children because “it's not her war”. This could have prevented an entire War from happening. She should have killed the few to save the many.
Rhaenyra and Daemon both know Laenor is alive, and faked his death.
She ordered daily executions, established "knights inquisitors" to hunt down innocent children, would not offer peace terms, imposed ridiculous taxes while throwing a lavish birthday party for her son, and then tried to have her allies murdered.
'” D'Arcy further underliner how it was ultimately Rhaenyra taking control over her own bodily autonomy: “The advice Rhaenyra is receiving is to have patience, in the hope of preventing the child being stillborn or preventing harm to the child. And she ignores the advice, seeking instead to get this body out of her.
Rhaenyra tells Daemon that she wants to marry him, that she can't face Alicent and the Greens alone. Daemon bluntly says Laenor would have to be dead for them to be married. It then seems that Daemon and Rhaenyra recruit Laenor's low-born lover Ser Qarl Correy to do the nefarious deed.
Princess Rhaenyra rules as Queen Rhaenyra for about half a year on the Iron Throne. As many of her children are killed, she flees King's Landing after a riot known as the Storming of the Dragonpit, and is eventually caught. Her half-brother, Alicent's son Aegon II, feeds her to his dragon, Sunfyre.
King Aenys I's son, Jaehaerys, was the king whose succession troubles were depicted in the first episode of “House of the Dragon.” Princess Rhaenys is the only child of Jocelyn Baratheon and Prince Aemon Targaryen, the eldest of King Jaehaerys I's children to make it to adulthood and thus his named heir.
A confused Daemon chokes Rhaenyra and says, “Dreams didn't make us kings. Dragons did,” with Rhaenyra now realizing that Viserys never told Daemon about the Targaryen prophecy. Not only does this prove Rhaenyra's legitimacy to herself, but it also reveals more about the nature of Daemon and Viserys' relationship.
Less than six months after the deaths of Laena, Laenor, and Harwin, Rhaenyra secretly married her uncle, Prince Daemon, the most experienced warrior of his time, at Dragonstone.
Rhaenyra Targaryen, the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, briefly considered bending the knee to her half-brother King Aegon II in the Season 1 finale of House of the Dragon, thus sparing the citizens of Westeros years of dragon fire and bloodshed.
With no one left to help her, Aegon II demanded his dragon Sunfyre to kill and then consume his older sister right in front of the eyes of her last remaining child and future king, Aegon The Younger.
Ultimately, Rhaenys doesn't kneel before Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon episode 10 because she needed to discuss House Velaryon's loyalty with Corlys first. After telling Corlys they'll be supporting Rhaenyra in this war, Rhaenys makes Rhaenyra's fight her own.
It was clear that Leana and Laenor had a close relationship, and she likely would not appreciate her uncle choosing this moment to make a statement while her brother grieves. Daemon laughs at this moment because Vaemond is choosing this moment to guilt Rhaenyra for having children with Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr).
Aegon III, aka Aegon the Younger: Rhaenyra and Daemon's first child together. Aegon Targaryen, aka Jon Snow: Yes, he comes much later, when a song of ice and fire plays out. But he could be the prince that was promised, though that's still up for debate.
In fact, the show makes that abundantly clear in episode 3 when Otto (the Hand of the King) suggests that Rhaenyra marry her half-brother Prince Aegon. Sure, King Viserys was shocked at the idea—but only because of their age difference, not because they were related, which, uh, wow!
Prosthetic designer confirms: the baby was deformed
The baby was clearly among those rare cases in the Targaryen line, where it was described that an unsuccessful birth had produced a stillborn baby with dragon-like features.
Rhaenyra, recalling the death of her mother in childbirth, refuses help from her maidens as the pregnancy wreaks havoc on her body. Knowing something is wrong, she gives birth all by herself. The baby doesn't survive.
One of the first times we see Rhaenyra as truly angry throughout the entirety of Season 1 is during the traumatic miscarriage of her daughter Visenya.
The story of the princess and her valiant knight did not end as a fairy tale, though. A sordid and controversial story began to spread that Rhaenyra lost her virginity to her uncle Daemon at age 16. No one knows if that is true. But Targaryens had long married within the family to keep their bloodlines pure.
Daemon couldn't perform with Rhaenyra after she took control of the situation. “It's the idea that Daemon is using Rhaenyra as a way to get at her father,” showrunner Miguel Sapochnik said.
Daemon strangled Rhaenyra because he felt betrayed by Viserys. “It's a moment that I think is surprising and shocking for Daemon as a character, but I also think it's one of those things that's been set up over the course of the entire season.