A scene from “Unfinished Business”

Rhaenyra: You ruled this realm in all but name while my father lay ill.

Alicent: I did.

[slight pause]

Rhaenyra: I heard petitions today.

Alicent: [understanding] There are many of them, and their needs are many more. It's a... heavy weight.

Rhaenyra: How did you bear it?

Alicent: In truth? You may not rule and remain yourself. There are choices to be made and you may, on occasion, have to turn your face away while people suffer and die. There is in you a door that must shut. You will do things that your heart would have recoiled from before you came to the throne.

Rhaenyra: [scoffs] I acknowledge the struggle, but I dispute that I must become what I am not.

Alicent: Time will tell.

Rhaenyra: My father remained himself.

Alicent: [chuckles darkly] Your father lived in a world of his own construction. You and I have never set foot there.