She’s not going to have it easy either.

Given that House of the Dragon is set in the Game of Thrones universe, a few centuries back from what we initially saw, no one expected the show to go easy on its characters. In season 1, we already saw the brutal deaths of Aemma Arryn, King Viserys’ first wife, Laena Velaryon, and Lucerys Velaryon.

The second season began with the even more brutal murder of a young Jaehaerys Targaryen, the heir to the throne of King Aegon. Viewers, now ready to watch the war unfold, have no hope that all of their favorites will survive. And while some characters will live longer than others, their fates are just as bleak.

How Does Alicent Hightower Die in the Book?

While Alicent Hightower is one of the few characters to survive the Dance of the Dragons in George R.R. Martin’s original story Fire & Blood, her life is not one of joy. Having seen the war take so many lives, she opposes the peaceful marriage between Rhaenyra’s son Aegon III Targaryen and her granddaughter Jaehaera.

Her attempts to plot the conspiracy lead to her being locked in her chambers for the last year of her life. She is all alone, with only her maids and servants surrounding her and keeping her company. According to the novel, Alicent slowly loses her mind and then dies, all but forgotten, during the outbreak of the Winter Fever.

Although the show has already made some changes to the book, and chances are that Alicent’s life will also take a turn in the future, it seems that the second season has already begun to foreshadow her fate.

In the first episode, viewers see Alicent more alone than ever, her voice small in the Council, and her attempts to stop the violence falling flat. Though she has the support (and surprising affection) of Ser Criston Cole for now, that may change quickly once the real war breaks out.

Now that it has been established that Lord Larys Strong is the one in charge of her servants, causing her to feel unsafe and isolated, it is easy to see how Alicent’s mental state could begin to deteriorate under such circumstances.

If you are interested in seeing what House of the Dragon has in store for Alicent Hightower and the rest of Team Green, be sure to tune in to HBO or Max every Sunday to not miss another episode.