King Daemon Targaryen, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, certainly has a nice ring to it. As the swashbuckling heir presumptive to the Iron Throne, he spends the first episode of House of the Dragon trivializing King Viserys' regime. Daemon overconfidently believes that he's the only one worthy of taking on his big brother's mantle.
Unfortunately for Daemon, Viserys grows more tired of his arrogance by the day. The fraying relationship between these two Targaryen brothers reaches a breaking point at the end of the episode — Viserys disinherits Daemon from the line of succession in favor of Rhaenyra. The King's decision makes logical sense, especially considering the Rogue Prince's self-centered tendencies and flair for violence.
10 Daemon Would Rather Spend His Time In Flea Bottom
As the only truly cosmopolitan city in Westeros, King's Landing contains a wide array of districts and sectors. One of the most notorious neighborhoods is Flea Bottom, a labyrinthine network of decrepit buildings and dingy streets. Many upper-class citizens can be found loitering around this locality, particularly its gambling houses and bordellos.
Prince Daemon Targaryen frequently visits the brothels of Flea Bottom, where he doesn't even bother to protect his identity. Viserys may not mind his brother's shady predilections, but others like Otto Hightower deem Daemon's frivolous conduct to be inappropriate.
9 He Constantly Insults Those Weaker Than Him
The Great Houses of Westeros are famously apathetic to the commoners' plight. These aristocrats habitually abuse and mistreat their lowborn employees, most of whom are incapable of fighting back. Even the rulers of Westeros are known to mock the peasantry — Cersei flagrantly informs Sansa that "the only way to keep the smallfolk loyal is to make certain they fear" the Iron Throne.
While Viserys shows some compassion towards his people, Daemon insults anyone weaker than him. The Rogue Prince displays an utter lack of common courtesy during the Heir's Tournament, where he glibly taunts his opponents before unhorsing them.
8 Daemon Almost Kills The Messenger
"Don't kill the messenger" is an unofficial rule that has been obeyed for centuries, in both the real world and Westeros. Envoys are supposed to be sent back unharmed because they are not to blame for the bad tidings they carry. King Viserys sends a courier to Daemon, providing him with some much-needed reinforcements against the Crabfeeder.
Instead of being delighted or, at the very least, relieved, the Prince violently assaults the messenger. The worst thing about this situation is that the envoy comes bearing good news. Daemon is just too immature to accept his big brother's help.
7 He Risks His Life To Achieve Victory
Kings rarely participate in battle unless the fighting reaches their doorstep. Even in this case, the Kingsguard will automatically spring into action and defend their liege. There's no reason for the Crown to place itself in unnecessary danger. Daemon, on the other hand, makes an extremely perilous move in order to flush the Crabfeeder out from hiding.
He walks into the enemy's lair without any military assistance, lays down his sword, and throws himself at Cragas Drahar's mercy. Daemon's ultimate victory is immaterial — he shouldn't be taking such risks if he wants to sit on the Iron Throne one day.
6 Daemon Takes The Law Into His Own Hands
Although the royal family is slightly more immune to punishment than everyone else in the realm, even Kings aren't beyond the law. Cersei betrays Ned Stark to keep her son on the Iron Throne as she understands the consequences of Joffrey's illegitimacy.
Nevertheless, Prince Daemon calmly dispenses his own barbarous brand of justice in the very first episode of the show. He maims, dismembers, and decapitates dozens of so-called criminals, a savage show of force that doesn't go down well with the Small Council. More importantly, Daemon takes a perverse sense of pleasure in his methods.
5 He Makes A Treasonous Deal With Corlys Velaryon
Viserys is far too lenient with his baby brother. The King indulges the Prince on multiple occasions, regardless of all the negative publicity created by Daemon's thoughtless actions. Lord Corlys shrewdly uses Daemon's insecurities against him, claiming that, "as the realm's second sons," their "worth is not given [but] must be made."
The Targaryen Prince falls for the Velaryon Sealord's crafty machinations hook, line, and sinker. While Daemon's decision to attack the Stepstones is politically watertight, openly flouting the King's regal decree weakens House Targaryen's hold on the Iron Throne.
4 Daemon Mocks His Brother's Dead Son In Public
Daemon Targaryen is thoroughly shameless. Not only does he demand the Iron Throne as his birthright, but he also scorns the King's alleged incompetence. Although Queen Aemma and Prince Baelon perish after an ill-advised C-section, Daemon doesn't attempt to comfort his grieving brother.
On the contrary, the Prince throws an impromptu party in "one of the pleasure houses on the Street of Silk." He commemorates his newborn nephew's demise by calling him "Heir for a Day," indirectly revealing his ardent desire for the Iron Throne. Daemon clearly cares more about himself than his family, yet another reason why he isn't worthy of the Crown.
3 He Throws A Tantrum When Viserys Disinherits Him
Viserys is livid with rage upon hearing Daemon's callous reaction to Baelon's death. The King promptly disinherits the Prince, stating that he would rather "celebrate [his] own rise" than offer his emotional support. In response, Daemon throws a gigantic tantrum by fleeing to Dragonstone.
He also takes the City Watch with him, which leaves King's Landing undefended. If this isn't selfish enough, Daemon steals the Dragon egg that was meant for Baelon from under Viserys' nose. A true leader exhibits empathy, decency, remorse, and responsibility, concepts that might as well be alien to someone as egotistical as Daemon Targaryen.
2 Daemon Deliberately Tarnishes His Niece's Reputation
Daemon accompanies Rhaenyra to the bowels of Flea Bottom, exposing his hitherto naive niece to the wondrous world of sexual freedom. While the Princess has every right to express her physical needs, her reckless behavior jeopardizes her claim to the Iron Throne.
One of Mysaria's minions spies Rhaenyra exiting the brothel and quickly informs Otto Hightower, who doesn't waste this heaven-sent opportunity. King Viserys furiously accuses his brother of gross impropriety, but Daemon demands "Rhaenyra to take to wife," declaring that they "will return the House of the Dragon to its proper glory." This gambit may have worked in the past, but Westeros would likely revolt against such an "ungodly" union.
1 He Murders His Wife In Cold Blood
Like every married citizen in the realm, Daemon is bound to Lady Rhea Royce by divine law. Estrangement is a common occurrence, but the sanctity of marriage cannot be bypassed unless one spouse dies. Daemon acknowledges his predicament, explaining why he chooses to murder his wife in ice-cold blood.
The Prince takes a solo trip to the Vale, where he meets Lady Rhea riding her horse. After a caustic conversation, Daemon scares her mount into falling on her, crushing her body. Rhea then ridicules her husband's "craven" attitude, forcing him to finish the job with a particularly sharp rock. Daemon genuinely loves Rhaenyra, but his thought process is both dangerous and unpredictable.