'House of the Dragon' E4 Has Fans Shipping Rhaenyra and Alicent Even More
History will say they were just friends, huh?
Since the very first episode of 'House of the Dragon ', we were witnessing Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen enjoying a pretty close bond. The two best friends would discuss their duties together, as well as wink at boys at deadly knight tournaments – you know, regular royal routine.
However, some fans immediately rendered them more than friends, with the suspicions being fueled by the way the two look at each other sometimes, or touch hands, or share some deep personal moments.
Rhaenyra and Alicent had a tough time between episodes 3 and 4, as they were struggling with how Alicent technically became Rhaenyra's Queen after marrying her father. Even though the marriage was facilitated by Otto Hightower, Alicent's father, it was quite painful for Rhaenyra to get over.
In episode 4, however, Rhaenyra enjoys a night out with her uncle, and has to defend herself in front of everyone, trying to persuade people that Daemon never touched her (which is not exactly true, but has some degree of honesty to it). But the toughest person to persuade was her best friend, Alicent.
The conversation between the two appeared to channel too much jealousy from Her Grace for fans to simply go unnoticed.
"Alicent getting upset because she's "worried" about Rhaenyra, but you know she's jealous Rhaenyra had a good time AND it wasn't with her," Twitter user mementomoray mused.
After that conversation, people simply cannot believe that Alicent and Rhaenyra are just friends.
"Watching Alicent be mad at Rhaenyra was extremely triggering; getting irrationally mad at your best friend who you have a repressed homo friendship with bc they were with a boy and for some reason That Really Upsets You." – @patroklov
Fans are already calling for Alicent to admit what they deem to be obvious – at least to herself.
"Alicent slut-shaming Rhaenyra to cover for the fact that she's in gay love with her and is heartbroken that she's slept with someone else is funny. why lie." – @thevildead1981
Others, however, think that the subtext to Alicent's anger is a tad different.
"Alicent being mad at Rhaenyra because she wishes she was as free and willful as Rhaenyra instead of having to do as she is told and be stuck in a loveless marriage with an old man my baby deserves better." – @klerolajn
We will have six more episodes to explore the complicated relationship between Rhaenyra and Alicent further. New episodes of 'House of the Dragon' arrive on HBO Max every Sunday.