By House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8 "The Lord of the Tides," Alicent Hightower grows in her role as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. She is more confident and unrelenting than ever before. She also displays a diabolical cunning and amorality that's also seen in her secondborn son, Aemond.

While Alicent is still concerned about honor, family, and decency, the same cannot be said about the firstborn she badly wants to install on the Iron Throne. Aegon is a wastrel born into excessive wealth and privilege. He frequents fighting pits, and this particular time, in House of the Dragon's "The Lord of the Tides," violates a young handmaiden who disappears from the Red Keep without a trace.

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Who Is Dyana In House Of The Dragon?

Dyana is a member of Helaena and Aegon Targaryen's staff, and she looks after their children. She comes into prominence in House of the Dragon episode 8 as a plot device - part of the event that is necessary to maintain the flow. Prince Aegon's perversions are well documented in the show, but Dyana amplifies the effect to convey that despite having a sister-wife, Helaena, and children, he continues to live life without consequences. While the legitimacy of Rhaenyra's decent children is called into question, and Vaemond Velaryon and the Hightowers make them into a public spectacle, Aegon is guarded by immense privilege and the Greens are working hard at his installation.

Ser Erryk Cargyll approaches Alicent right outside the small council chamber to turn her attention to a handmaiden in trouble:

Your Grace... a matter has arisen that requires your attention. It's about the Prince. There's been a delicate situation in his apartments.

Alicent drops everything, including visiting Rhaenyra, who is back in King's Landing to make a petition in favor of Lucerys' succession as Lord of Driftmark. She finds herself staring at an inconsolable Dyana who narrates:

I was fetching the Prince his wine, and I put it on his table, and when I turned… I didn't see him. I asked him to stop, Your Grace. I did, truly... you must believe me.

Alicent lowers her gaze in shame, and it's not difficult to tell that she feels genuine sympathy for this young girl. She hugs Dyana, calms her down, and thanks her for telling her story.

What Does Alicent Do For Dyana?

Dyana sees no one but Alicent, her lady-in-waiting, Talya and Ser Erryk. The Queen is aware that her image at the time she is due to hear Princess Rhaenyra's petition is at stake. And so, she does everything in her power to prevent a scandal. While Alicent says she believes the story, she also makes subtle threats:

But what I worry about is what others might believe. You were alone with the Prince, were you not? And no one else saw what happened between the two of you? If anyone else were to hear about this...

Finally, Alicent pays Dyana off and has Talya bring in the Moon Tea that is used to prevent pregnancies in Westeros. "It's best to be certain," says Alicent as she watches Dyana drink every last drop. The scene immediately cuts to Aegon's chambers, and Alicent is seen yelling at him:

Think of the shame on your wife, on me. How can you keep carrying on like this, especially on a day like today?

Dyana's Fate In House Of The Dragon

While Dyana's fate is technically left unknown in House of the Dragon, Geeta Patel, the director of "The Lord of the Tides," confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Alicent did not kill her:

I know [showrunners Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik] were talking about Alicent paying her off and that she would disappear.

Patel added that the Moon Tea "was definitely to prevent pregnancy" and the same beverage that "Young Rhaenyra got."

Alicent handled the situation carefully and bought Dyana's silence. Her approach to the sensitive situation is proof enough that she isn't written along the same lines as Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones. Dyana's character doesn't exist in the books, she is specifically written for House of the Dragon to lend a human element to Alicent, who is otherwise on a fast track to becoming a villain.

Patel adds more to Alicent's tryst with Dyana:

You see everything she’s dealing with. You see when she’s doing ugly things, but you understand her vulnerability. You understand she’s picking between two evils. So that scene had always worried me because I wanted so desperately for us to understand Alicent, but the words she’s saying and actions she’s taking are all quite harsh and in line with a villain. So a lot of the prep of those scenes like, cinematically, how do we walk through the door and be with her?

House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon is HBO's prequel series to Game of Thrones. Set hundreds of years earlier, the show follows the inner machinations and rivalries of the Targaryen royal family. The show was created by Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin, and stars Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Rhys Ifans, and Olivia Cooke.

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House of the Dragon is available on HBO Max.