House Of The Dragon fans are mortified as ageing King Viserys woos a 12-year old girl

Incest, rape and torture are just perks of the trade for Game Of Thrones fans, but age-gap relationships appeared to be a step too far as episode two of fantasy spin-off House Of The Dragon aired on Sunday evening. 

Those who stayed up for an early peek at the much anticipated prequel were left choking on their cocoa after watching the middle-aged King Viserys court his innocent 12-year old niece while considering a new wife. 

Six months have passed since the brutal, bloody death of his devoted wife and baby son – the rightful heir to the Iron Thorne – during childbirth, but time is short in the realm of the king and he is already weighing up the possibility of another bride.

As episode two picked up the story some 24 weeks after the unsavoury events of its predecessor, it is his cousin Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and her husband Lord Corlys Velaryon who suggests Viserys bury his grief by marrying their own daughter – the pre-pubescent, pre-teen Lady Laena. 

Questionable: Incest, rape and torture are just perks of the trade for Game Of Thrones fans, but age-gap relationships appeared to be a step too far as episode two of fantasy spin-off House Of The Dragon aired on Sunday evening

Still overcome with guilt after making the grim decision to sacrifice his wife in order to spare the life of his breeched son, only to lose both in the process, the king is moved to contemplate the questionable offer – prompting outrage from fans. 

Taking to Twitter, one incensed viewer raged: ‘Lady Laena looks like she just rolled out of Bippidi Boppodi Boutique at Disney World for her date with Viserys.’ 

A second added: ‘Protect lady laena velaryon from this madness, she’s the most precious thing.’

While a third incredulous fan commented: ‘This is genuinely disgusting. So Lyanna Stark deserved it too? Joanna Lannister? Alys Arryn? Lady Glover? Lady Minisa Tully? Laena Velaryon?

This can’t be right: Those who stayed up for an early preview of the much anticipated prequel were left choking on their cocoa after watching the middle-aged King Viserys court his innocent 12-year old niece while considering a new wife

Dismayed: The king’s decision to court 12-year old Lady Laena – his own niece – prompted outrage from fans on Sunday

‘Oh wow look women of all families died in childbirth, it has NOTHING to do with intermarriage. This type of rhetoric is never okay. Stop.’

Another simply wrote: ‘She looks younger than twelve.’ 

While one ranted: Laena? THIS Laena??? marrying their toddler off to this decrepit old b••ch? be f••king serious.’

Others were quick to point out Viserys’ pre-existing relationship with Laena, with one writing: ‘Lady Laena Velaryon is King Viserys first cousin once removed. They would have had inbred children.’ 

‘Lady Laena Velaryon was a baby. Politically motivated or not, I’m so glad that particular arrangement didn’t pan out. They also could’ve given that child a better Valyrian wig.’ 

Not happy: Many fans admitted they were repulsed by the idea of a middle-aged man dating a pre-teen, despite the show’s reputation for close to the knuckle depictions of rape and violence 

Despite the uproar, House Of The Dragon has been given the green light for season two just days after the first episode of the HBO series premiered on August 21.

Set years earlier in the same universe of George R.R. Martin’s books, House of the Dragon depicts the glory days of the ancestors of popular Game of Thrones characters, such as Daenerys Targaryen.

The show raked in a total of 10 million viewers the night of its premiere, causing little hesitation in a renewal.

All yours: Viserys is offered Lady Laena by her own parents, his cousin Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and her husband Lord Corlys Velaryon

Nightmare: Six months have passed since the brutal, bloody death of his devoted wife and baby son – the rightful heir to the Iron Thorne – during childbirth 

Due to additional playbacks, the number has spiked up to a whopping 20 million, causing the Game Of Thrones prequel to be HBO’s largest premiere audience to date.

House Of The Dragon is set 200 years before the events that took place in Game Of Thrones, and tells the detailed story of House Targaryen.

The successful HBO prequel and spinoff is based on George R.R. Martin’s novel, Fire & Blood and features all new cast that includes Matt Smith, Paddy Considine, Eve Best and Rhys Ifans. 

Martin has written five books in a planned seven book series, but the fifth book was published nearly eight years ago, and it has long been the topic of discussion among fans who wonder when the last two books will debut.

The first book, A Game of Thrones, was published in 1996, followed by 1998’s A Clash of Kings, 2000’s A Storm of Swords, 2005’s A Feast of Crows and 2011’s A Dance With Dragons.

House Of The Dragon airs on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW.