I see your point. It's harder to go from coward to love interest. I just hate to see another idealized female. Perhaps she should be impulsive - definitely a trait Luke and Leia share. Her brother wants to wait for a solution and she has other ideas? ...

She asked for Obi-Wan to come to Alderaan against her brother's wishes, he refuses to be seen aiding a Jedi, and she sneaks out to rescue them. So Bail is still trying for a peaceful solution, while NotPadme sees the writing on the wall.

Her impulsiveness works for her here, but it comes back to bite her later in the sequel.