Three years have passed. King Viserys is married to Alicent. They have a son named Aegon and hope for a second one very soon since Alicent is pregnant.
Daemon and Corlys have gone to fight against Crabfeeder in the lands of Stepstones. They are mostly gone against the King's advice. Corlys has a son, Laenor, who joins the battle.
Tyland Lannister warns the King and begs him to intervene. Viserys prefers to celebrate his son's second birthday with a hunting party.
During the party, Rhaenyra feels ignored by most. Jason Lannister, Tyland's twin, takes an interest in the girl. Criston Cole, now the girl's bodyguard, takes her away from the festivities.
Otto makes a strange suggestion to his King: marry Rhaenyra to Aegon! Indeed, he does not want Rhaenyra to become Queen, but rather Aegon to be King. Otto even goes to see the Queen to try to submit this idea to her.
In the Stepstones, Crabfeeder takes over Daemon and Corlys.
Viserys runs into Rhaenyra, back from her escapade. He tells her that she needs to find someone to appease her.