Question
In House of the Dragon Ep 5, We Light the Way, Rhaenyra and Laenor are getting married. And both of them agree that their marriage is more of a political alliance.
Rhaenyra's personal guard and love interest, Criston beats Laenor's lover Joffrey to death in public.
But from there, there seems no any form of consequences in this crime.
- Criston murders a person in a royal wedding
- The victim is Laenor's lover
How is this logical? Criston simply switches to Queen Alicent side and becomes her personal guard. Is it implied he has been pardoned by Alicent?
Answer
Because he was upholding his vows as a member of the Kingsguard. While we do not know what the exact wording of the vows to be we do know some specifics:
Being that Rhaenyra is the daughter of the King and heir, she also falls under this oath.
So When Joffrey says:
“You don’t know me Ser Criston, but we are both deeply invested in this union.”
Criston: “If you have something to say Ser Joffrey, speak it.”
Joffrey: “Ser Laenor is quite dear to me. As I know the Princess is to you. We should swear to each other to guard them, and their secrets, because if those are kept safe, then so are we all.”
Christon knows what he is implying that the two of them are lovers, as it is truthful.
However the reason he got away with it is even the rumor of impropriety is seen as harmful to Rhaenyra but also the King.
In Season 1 Episode 4 of House of the Dragon Viserys fires Otto for the rumor, a mercy because as Rhaenyra says:
“I am the princess. To question my virtue is an act of treason”
Answered By - Bella_Blue
