Rhaenyra Targaryen's journey in "House of the Dragon" is marred by a series of missteps that ultimately led to her downfall. Her biggest mistake, which had far-reaching consequences, was a pivotal decision that sealed her tragic fate.

The Struggle for Power

Rhaenyra's path to the throne was fraught with challenges. Named heir by her father, King Viserys, her claim was constantly contested by Queen Alicent Hightower and her supporters.

Rhaenyra's failure to maintain a strong presence in King's Landing during her father's final years allowed her enemies to gain substantial ground​​. But what if she had stayed and fortified her position instead?

Misplaced Trust

One critical error was her misplaced trust in certain allies. Rhaenyra assumed the loyalty of House Baratheon, relying on past alliances. However, sending her son Lucerys to Storm's End to secure this support proved disastrous when Borros Baratheon rejected him, further isolating Rhaenyra from crucial allies​​.

Could a different diplomatic strategy have secured their allegiance?

The Fatal Mission

Perhaps the most tragic mistake was sending Lucerys on a diplomatic mission to Storm's End, where he was killed by Aemond Targaryen and his dragon, Vhagar. This mission, intended to secure alliances, instead ignited the full-scale conflict known as the Dance of the Dragons.

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