Rhaenyra Targaryen's claimant consort, Daemon Targaryen from House of the Dragon is a morally grey character in every sense of the word. He was protective of his late brother, King Viserys I but caused him grief by flouting the rules of the court and pushing boundaries of civil behavior. Daemon was banished by Viserys several times throughout House of the Dragon season 1 but returned each time to wreak more havoc and cause more rot in his rule. Portrayed by Matt Smith, Daemon's vengeance and cruelty knew no bounds by the time the two rival Targaryen factions, the Greens and the Blacks entered the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons.
Daemon was first seen rising from the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 1, "The Heirs of the Dragon." He was welcomed by Princess Rhaenyra who reminded him of his absence from her father's court. His rogue behavior explained why his brother chose to send him away. He lived every bit up to his reputation as an impulsive prince, and on the same night, inflicted mass violence on the city's criminals. This incident was just the beginning of Daemon's gruesomeness in House of the Dragon, and it only worsened during the Dance.
Prince Lucerys' Killing Sets Up Daemon's Blood And Cheese Response
Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen suffer the tragic loss of their son, Prince Lucerys Velaryon at the end of House of the Dragon season 1, episode 10, "The Black Queen." The tragedy has beginnings in Lucerys' diplomatic Storm's End mission which not fails but takes his life. Upon reaching Storm's End, Lucerys is dismayed to see his uncle Aemond Targaryen at Lord Borros Baratheon's castle. As it turns out, Aemond has cunningly offered himself in marriage to one of Borros' daughters. Sensing Lucerys' vulnerability, Aemond continues to bully him in the presence of Borros' daughters and courtiers and demands the debt that he owns him for slashing out his eye when they were children.
Lucerys reminds Aemond he came as her mother's messenger and Lord Borros orders his men to escort him out to his dragon, Arrax. As Lucerys hurries out, Aemond appears on his dragonback and chases after him. Darkness looms large and pouring rains make it difficult for Arrax and Lucerys to navigate their way out. While Lucerys wants Arrax to put his focus into getting them out safely, his tiny beast disobeys and breathes fires at Vhagar. This mid-air bullying sequence then turns into a dragon vs. dragon battle and culminates with Lucerys' accidental death in House of the Dragon's finale episode.
Daemon displays vengeance while conveying his stepson's death to Rhaenyra. In George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood, he vows to avenge Lucerys' death by exclaiming "a son for a son" to the late Prince's mother. Daemon's revenge response, known as the "Blood and Cheese" event sees him take the life of a son of a Green for the dead son of a Black. The show subtly hinted at this event through the Red Keep escape route map that Daemon sent Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 4 "King of the Narrow Sea." This passageway leads into the city, and it will come into play when Blood and Cheese kill at Daemon's orders.
Blood And Cheese Sneak Into The Red Keep
Blood and Cheese are the two assassins sent to the Red Keep by Daemon's spymaster, Mysaria. Blood is a butcher and Cheese is a ratcatcher familiar with the secret tunnels of the Red Keep. Together they enter Alicent Hightower's chambers, imprison her and wait for Helaena Targaryen, and her children's routine evening visit. When Helaena does finally arrive, Blood and Cheese slay her guard and put her through psychological torture by asking her to choose which of her sons should die. While she offers herself at first, the assassins refuse because they are instructed to kill a son as retribution. Helaena reluctantly names her youngest, Maelor but sees her six-year-old, Jaehaerys beheaded instead.
While the Blacks get their revenge, Helaena Targaryen is never the same after the incident. She restricts herself to her room and becomes an unreliable dragonrider. Blood and Cheese is among the first major events of the Dance, and it should likely take place early on in House of the Dragon season 2. However, since Game of Thrones is infamous for straying away from the source material, the assassination could be placed anywhere in season 2. Blood and Cheese event will exacerbate the Dance and Prince Jaehaerys' assassination will invite more wrath from the Greens nonetheless.