Safia

Once a rogue lioness, Safia was welcomed into the Ndona pride. Rising through the ranks, she eventually became King Shtuka's queen. He was long past his prime and was old enough to be her grandfather but Safia was quite fine with it. Safia also knows that if she bears Shtuka a son, then he will be king and as Queen Mother of the Ndona pride, she would reign supreme. She paraded this fact around, which made earned the ire of Ankhesneferu, Shtuka's discarded queen, and Akili, the king's granddaughter. The two older lionesses openly dispised the young queen and showed utter contempt for rank. But Safia did not worry. She would gladly show them who was in charge when she bore the king his son and heir. But to her utter disappointment, she bore only two daughters. Though she is happy to have her daughters, Safia needs a son if she is going to secure her place. But just when she is about to be ready to mate, her mate dies of old age. With his death, Safia is relegated to Dowager Queen. Though she fights for her daughter's inheritance, she is outmaneveured by Akili and Ankhesneferu. The two old lionesses plot together and put Akili's son and Ankhesneferu's daughter on the throne. The royal couple brings forth a great many heirs, which further pushes Safia down the pecking order. But though Safia plays the part of a humble pride-sister, she plots daily to put her line back on the throne.