Author's Notes Princess Layla is an influential figure and a close friend. I have tried to do a just and fair job representing her in my bio of her. Hopefully she will forgive any misunderstandings or misrepresentatation of her or her family in this bio or in the other works I have authored and forgive my boldness in airing her personal thoughts and feelings. Know that I do it in deepest respect and honor as a dual-citizen. Equally a subject of the Underground Kingdom of Al-Sahra, a most humble friend, and a free hull commander after the sterling code of the Nüüdelchid spacefarers.
-OES
Princess Amira Layla is the daughter of [King Hadi al-Qamar Al Sahra'i], and Queen "Sana of the Nüüdelchid" - [Sana Nüüdelch al-Sahra’i] directly in line for the throne of the Underground Kingdom of Al-Sahra' - better known as [The Combs]. The King's brothers harbored a plan to diminish the power of her future position in favor of their own prospects, but that is far from saying she was embroiled in palace intrigue.
Early Life: Layla kept a low profile mostly during her youth, but had an upbringing with enough prominence and public recognition that she was raised to believe her actions reflected on the Al-Sahra'i name. Her father always expected her to uphold their family values and maintain the Al-Sahra'i strength and control over the Combs, in order to protect it from selfish influences of others who would seek power, ensuring her early education included studies about the family’s history, as well as etiquette and political maneuvering.
She grew up in the family palace, surrounded by wealth and privilege, but thanks to her mother, not isolated from some of the struggles of the common people. Queen Sana also ensured her technical education was rigorous - heavily infused with practical field skills as well as math and engineering. As a little girl, she used to take her to see the pumps and filters of the city's water recycling machinery that she herself had designed.
The Amira has a strong moral compass and feels deep empathy for others, but was cautious about openly challenging her father's brothers, who outranked her position as Crown Princess before the later resolutions passed by her father the King. Her mother distanced herself from the political intrigue, and Layla has mentioned to me how she was sometimes torn between doing what she felt was right as a leader, the feeling the need to protect her family from the criticism of the public, and the desire to retreat from the conflict and join her mother's approach of redirection and service instead of taking the strong position. She loved the idea of piloting a spaceship originally as a way of escape; she told me that as a little girl she dreamed that flying away as a pilot would grant her the independence to act in the way she desired.
Amira Layla has a sharp intellect. However, she acts more decisively and directly than most Nüüdelchid I know. She has proven interested in using her position to make positive change, much like her father, but with a long view like her mother; in a way that makes her distinctly herself. While outwardly composed and often reserved due to her upbringing, I know Amira is fiercely compassionate. She feels an internal struggle to balance the façade she has to maintain of regal separation and her genuine care for those around her. She has openly told me and others that the constant pressure from her future position sometimes leads to moments of self-doubt, but her time at the Academy and her friendships she developed there have helped her to solidify her sense of identity both as part of the Al-Sahra'i legacy and also of her own.
Amira Layla bint Sana Al-Sahra’i
Born: 2270
Home: Royal family of Samum Palace, the Combs
Parents: Daughter of the King and Queen of the Combs.
Personality: Cautious, intelligent, and strategic. Initially perceived as aloof, Layla is deeply empathetic and has a strong moral compass.
Skills: Politically astute given her upbringing, interests in engineering and piloting. Adapting to blending royal duties with technical know-how.
Ambition: Desires to make a difference in the world and get away from the pressure, but deeply committed to her family and royal obligations.
Unique Traits: Very structured view of engineering, not a "wing it" approach at all. Prefers to sit and think through a problem completely before taking the first step.
Favorite Food: A tabouleh recipie inherited from her mother.
Position: Princess Layla is directly in line for the royal family's leadership when her Father passes, but the King's brothers plan to block her rise to power in favor of their own prospects. She keeps a low profile mostly, but has enough prominence that her actions reflect on the Al-Sahra'i name. Her father expects her to uphold their family values and maintain the strength and control over the Combs in order to protect it from selfish influences of others who would seek power.
Upbringing: She grew up in the family palace, surrounded by wealth and privilege, but somewhat isolated from the more human struggles of the common people. Her education was rigorous, including studies about on the family’s history, etiquette, and political maneuvering, but heavily focused on practical skills as well, even technical engineering. She loves the idea of piloting a spaceship, which she dreams of as giving her independence.
Personality:
Courageous but Cautious: Amira has a strong moral compass and feels deep empathy for others, but she’s cautious about openly challenging her father's brothers, who outrank her while her father is alive. She’s sometimes torn between doing what she feels is right and feeling the need to protect her family from the criticism of the public.
Intelligent and Strategic: Like most members of the Al-Sahra'i family, Amira has a sharp intellect. However, her strategic thinking extends beyond personal or family gain—she’s interested in using her position to make positive change, much like her father, though not as skilled at this at first.
Reserved but Compassionate: While outwardly composed and often reserved due to her upbringing, Amira is quietly compassionate. She feels an internal struggle to balance the façade she has to maintain of regal separation and her genuine care for those around her.
Independent Streak: Her love for piloting and engineering sets her apart from other members of her family. This independence fuels her desire to be more than a pawn in her family’s political games, but she knows that rebelling too openly could lead to consequences and injure her father's tenuous hold on leadership.
Internal Conflict: The pressure from her future position leads to moments of self-doubt, but her time at the Academy and her growing friendships begin to solidify her sense of identity both as part of the Al-Sahra'i legacy and also of her own.
