WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3!

Alicent Hightower finally realizes how gravely wrong she was about Aegon in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3, but still refuses to bring an end to the war. After nearly two decades of Otto Hightower subtly plotting to replace Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne with his own grandson, Aegon, the death of King Viserys finally allowed his plans to come to fruition. Otto likely would have gone ahead with his plans anyway, but he needed to do much less convincing when Alicent told him that Viserys had changed his mind upon his deathbed and wanted Aegon to succeed him on the Iron Throne.

In reality, Alicent misinterpreted Viserys’ last words about Aegon the Conqueror’s A Song of Ice and Fire dream to be about their own son, Aegon. Alicent truly believed that Viserys changed his mind, and it wasn’t until speaking face-to-face with Rhaenyra that she realized her error. Sneaking into King’s Landing disguised as a septa, Rhaenyra confronts Alicent in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3’s ending. When Alicent reveals that Viserys spoke about “Aegon” and the “Prince That Was Promised,” Rhaenyra corrects that he was referring to the Conqueror. Despite realizing her error, Alicent says “it’s too late” to stop what’s coming, and likely won’t admit her mistake to the Greens.

Alicent’s Ego Won’t Allow Her To Change Her Mind In House Of The Dragon

Alicent can’t make herself look like a fool for all the devastation her mistake has led to

Similar to why Aemond lied about Luke’s death in House of the Dragon season 2, suggesting he did it on purpose instead of losing control of his dragon, Alicent won’t backtrack after learning she was wrong about Aegon’s claim to the Iron Throne. At this point, Alicent has put far too many stakes in upholding Aegon’s claim as King of Westeros, and she would have to admit all the blood on her hands with everything that followed Aegon’s coronation. The death of her grandson Jaehaerys, the death of Rhaenyra’s son Lucerys, and now a devastating full-scale battle in the Riverlands could be perceived as her fault.

Alicent aided the move toward a civil war due to her misinterpreting Viserys’ last words, so now she has to live with her mistake and own it. However, rather than owning her mistake by trying to stop the war, she’s going to try to do what she can to keep Aegon on the Iron Throne but attempt to control him as a better ruler. Alicent has made her bed and she’s going to lie in it, but her ego won’t allow her to do what’s right, admit fault, and look like a fool in front of the entire Seven Kingdoms.

To be fair, Alicent is right that there would be no point in trying to stop the war by admitting that Viserys never actually told her he wanted Aegon as his successor. It’s too late – she has no help from her father now that Otto has been removed as Aegon’s Hand of the King, Aegon is desperate to prove himself as fierce and loved, the ruthless Aemond is equally desperate to prove himself strong and more capable than his brother, and the battle-seeking Criston Cole is already leading an army in the Crownlands. Additionally, outside of House Targaryen itself, this animosity is already spreading across the realm.

As Rhaenys pointed out to Rhaenyra early in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3, it no longer matters what actually started the war. People will forget, and people will use their own vendettas as an excuse to fight, such as was the cause of the Battle of the Burning Mill. Team Green may no longer believe that Viserys actually wanted Aegon on the Iron Throne (Otto seemingly never believed in Alicent’s claim), but they can still use the Westerosi precedent of male primogeniture and the death of Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen as reason enough to fight their war.

Neither Rhaenyra Nor Alicent Is Willing To Compromise in House Of The Dragon

No terms will be made from either side in House of the Dragon

Alicent accepting the onset of war also boils down to the fact that neither she nor Rhaenyra will compromise and forfeit the Iron Throne to the other. Rhaenyra is steadfast in her claim that she is Viserys’ rightful heir, and Alicent’s mistake only further supports this urgency to reclaim her father’s throne. Meanwhile, Alicent won’t easily step aside and allow Rhaenyra to take the Iron Throne when her son has already been declared as King in the eyes of half the realm. Rhaenyra suggests coming to terms, but Alicent knows that there’s no reality in which Aegon and the Green Council accept them – and vice versa.

In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 director Geeta Vasant Patel explained that after having her father’s support for her claim and love for her reaffirmed, seeing her children die in the aftermath of the Greens’ actions, and recognizing her own power that she now holds, Rhaenyra is no longer willing to compromise. According to Patel, “There’s something really profound that’s happening with Rhaenyra, because she is someone who in the past has compromised… there’s an ego rising in her.” After Alicent’s ego keeps her from saying she’s wrong, Rhaenyra’s ego propels her to take action and “push the button.”

What Happens Now There’s No Fixing Things With Alicent & Rhaenyra?

Only one path forward remains after Alicent & Rhaenyra’s meeting

With Rhaenyra and Alicent’s attempt at some semblance of reconciliation failing, only one option remains: war. Aegon’s Team Green has four dragons of fighting size that they can use to get the upper hand over Rhaenyra, who, at this point, has only a few dragons of fighting capability. Additionally, with Daemon now at Harrenhal in House of the Dragon season 2, Rhaenyra has only Syrax, Meleys, Vermax, and Moondancer in the Crownlands, and the latter two are quite small and young. There’s officially no turning back after Rhaenyra and Alicent’s meeting, so death, fire, and blood are coming for House Targaryen and the entire realm.

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