Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Daemon confronts his estranged wife Rhea Royce in the Vale and kills her after a fall leaves her helpless. Elsewhere, Viserys travels to Driftmark to arrange Rhaenyra's marriage to Laenor Velaryon. The couple agree to fulfil their public duties while allowing each other private lovers. Their agreement gives the two great families the marriage they want, but offers no place for Criston Cole's hope of a different future.
Criston asks Rhaenyra to run away with him and abandon her claim to the crown. She refuses, and his distress leads him to confess their relationship when Alicent questions him about the rumours surrounding Daemon. Alicent realises that Rhaenyra withheld the truth from her. At the wedding feast she arrives in a green dress, the colour associated with House Hightower's call to war, and receives her family's support.
Laenor's lover Joffrey Lonmouth recognises Criston's attachment to Rhaenyra and proposes that they protect one another's secrets. The celebration then breaks into panic when Criston attacks and kills Joffrey. Harwin Strong carries Rhaenyra out of the crush while Laenor is left mourning his partner. The planned festivities give way to a hurried wedding ceremony. In the godswood, Alicent interrupts Criston as he prepares to take his own life, bringing him closer to her.