Aemond Targaryen’s return in House of the Dragon season 2 sees him lie about how Lucerys Valeryon’s death happened, with the reason aligning with what initially led him to follow his nephew on Vhagar. Creating a point of no return for the Targaryen Black and Green factions’ impending declaration of war, House of the Dragon season 1 ended with Aemond and his dragon Vhagar killing Lucerys and Arrax. The feud between Aemond and Lucerys had been simmering for well over a decade at that point, but Aemond made a grave mistake by flying Vhagar after Lucerys when he attempted to flee Aemond’s desire to fight.

While Aemond intentionally took Vhagar to chase Lucerys and Arrax in the skies, he didn’t mean to kill him. Rather, Aemond wanted to take out Lucerys’ eye as revenge for taking his own when they were children, and chasing him on Vhagar was a way to establish his dominance and frighten Luke. However, Aemond lost control of Vhagar, and once she became violent, his commands to make her stop attacking no longer worked, culminating in Vhagar killing both Lucerys and Arrax. Aemond was clearly shaken and realized his error, but when returning to King’s Landing, he lied and suggested that he intended to kill Luke.

Aemond Admitting Luke’s Death Would’ve Made Him Look Weak

Aemond would have had to own up to his inability to control Vhagar

The simplest answer to why Aemond lied about Luke’s death is that admitting it was a mistake would have made him look weak. Aemond’s inability to control Vhagar being what killed Lucerys would make him appear incapable and naive to the realm, and if there’s one thing that Aemond doesn’t want to be perceived as, it’s weak. By telling the Greens that he meant to kill Lucerys, he believes that it makes him look stronger and more ruthless, which makes him more of a threat to the Blacks in the Dance of the Dragons. Otto and Alicent believe him to be too volatile and difficult to control after killing Luke, and that’s exactly what he wants.

Aemond’s inability to control Vhagar being what killed Lucerys would make him appear incapable and naive to the realm, and if there’s one thing that Aemond doesn’t want to be perceived as, it’s weak.

Additionally, given the insinuation that Aemond killing Lucerys is what really starts House of the Dragon’s war, he may as well own up to his actions and embrace the merciless mistake. If war is to be had, then it’s better for Aemond to make himself a massive threat and example of strength than a weak child whose temper led him to unintentionally kill his nephew. Furthermore, Aemond admitting that he couldn’t control Vhagar in a violent situation makes her an equal risk to the Greens and Blacks in battle, as there’s no telling whether he would be able to stop her if she turned on their own forces.

Aemond Is Clearly Ready To Kill More Of His Kin

Aemond won’t hold back in the Dance of the Dragons

Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

After killing Lucerys, Aemond has no fear of taking the lives of his family. He already got away with killing Luke given Blood and Cheese resulted in Jaehaerys’ death instead of his own, and now his “mistake” is giving him more freedom to attack the Targaryen Black faction without repercussion. In House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1, Aemond is already trying to be involved in small council meetings, secretly strategizing for the impending war, and guarding the city on Vhagar. Aemond is now seeking the thrill of the power and strength that killing atop Vhagar gives him, and his opposing Targaryens are the perfect targets for this violent show of dominance.

New episodes of House of the Dragon season 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.