Solveig Trulson

As soon as the flare had gone into the sky Gio could feel a shift happening in the air. Something was going on, that much was obvious, but he hadn’t known the seriousness of the situation until people he’d thought they could all trust started turning on them. Fellow guards, townspeople he’d gotten along with, even staff higher up in the leadership chain stood with the numerous people now pointing weapons in their direction and there was nothing he could do to fight back. All he could do was glare and stand in front of as many people as he could while someone took his firearm from him. “This is insane,” he mumbled, his eyes rolling softly while he tried to take in as many people as possible just to confirm nothing had happened to them yet. “Nobody needs to get hurt tonight…”

Solveig had sighed when she’d seen the flare go up. The blonde had been able to spend most of the day sipping wine and ignoring what was to come. As soon as it started though she knew what she had to do. Strapping on a couple guns she stashed before the event she got to work, moving through the guards and disarming them. For the most part she could ignore the dirty looks, but there were a select few she’d found she’d actually grown to like in her time here. “This is inevitable,” she replied to Gio as she pulled his firearm from it’s holster. “You are right about that, though, nobody has to get hurt. Do not be a hero, Gio.” It likely wasn’t true, Solveig doubted this thing could end without someone being injured if not killed, but the fewer people that acted up, the lower the casualties would be. 

It was a nice day and Solveig was sipping on her second glass of wine. She’d promised herself that she’d have only a couple, so she could be sharp for the main event. She’d gone to quickly through the first though and was doing her best to pace herself now. She’d been mostly mingling aimlessly with people she barely knew, though she’d been sure to keep one eye on Matthias. Without making it obvious she’d moved through the crowed toward him, landing at his side as he finished his conversation. “Congratulations on the engagement, your highness,” she said politely, not sure what else there was too say. If she was being honest she didn’t really have a reason to talk to him, other than conversation that had started in the medical room. Now wasn’t exactly the place for that either though, and really, she was just looking for one last excuse to talk to him before she lost him forever. 

She hadn’t been terribly social at the beginning of the party, but as the wine had done it’s job, she’d loosened up a little bit. Mingling lightly, she’d made her way around the crowed, making inconsequential small talk for the most part. When she found herself close to her younger brother though the briefest look of regret passed over her face. She knew what she was about to do and that it would put him in a terrible position. Such was the way of the life they’d been born into though, and neither Trulson had chosen it. Where Solveig had embraced it though, Casper had not, and she could only hope she was convincing enough that when the ball dropped he would be left unscathed. 

Placing a carefully crafted smile back on her lips though she made her way over to him. “Enjoying the party, Cassie? At least you finally get to see Khatanga without snow.” 

Solveig’s been drinking more than she probably should have been the past couple of months. Between her personal life being in shambles and the avalanche though it seemed to be the only thing keeping her sane. It was a stroke of luck that the pub had made it out unscathed and something about drinking in public seemed more acceptable than drinking alone in her room. 

She was already a couple of strong drinks in when she noticed a familiar face in a corner booth. She’d been avoiding Ivan since Matthias had found out about Astrid, but something about him sitting alone seemed so inviting tonight. With a grin she made her way over, not hesitating before she slid into the seat and right into his lap. “Could not find a maid to share your company for the evening?” she goaded as she draped an arm around his shoulders. 

The very gall of this woman, to tell him off in the middle of a natural disaster just for being angry with her? Especially when he had every right to be. “I think I’m holding it together quite well considering.” His voice held a tinge of venom to it, something that had never been common when it came to his former guard. At least it hadn’t been until this year. But, despite his anger, he was aware that she had a point. Ivan would notice sooner or later and he wouldn’t forget about it. The last thing he needed was the Russian prince finding out about his illegitimate heir because he decided to dig.

Another thing struck him about her words and for a split second a bit of shame coursed through him. The hard look he had been sending her softened and he rolled his eyes slightly just to give off the air of annoyance. “I don’t want to hit you, Solveig.” His voice was low but he still glanced over at the rest of the group, mostly to check and see if Ivan was eyeing them. “I’ve never wanted to hit you. All I’ve wanted this whole time was to understand. I couldn’t quite grasp how you could go all of this time…” He trailed off. This wasn’t the time for this discussion so he cleared his throat. “Tell me what to do. You’re the one with the most knowledge about survival so if Ivan tries to puff his chest and take over we can hit him together.”

“It is not that simple,” she replied harshly under her breath while she kept Ivan in her peripheral. “In this instance pretty good is not good enough. If you want to end up on the front page of the tabloids fine, and I could not care less if I do, but I have spent a lot of time, money, and work keeping Astrid hidden; to give her some sense of normalcy and security. I will not have her found because you were too busy glaring at me to notice him watching you.” Solveig huffed slightly, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. She couldn’t blame him too much, Matthias had been raised very differently from her. When you were a rebel you were used to seeing everyone as an enemy, he hadn’t had to think like that before. 

She noticed the slight shift in his demeanor. Solveig hadn’t made the comment to hurt him, and even felt a little bad about it now after the fact. She let him trail off before glancing up to make eye contact. They both know this wasn’t the time or place for the full conversation. “It was not to hurt you,” she replied softly. “I never wanted to hurt you, I just wanted to keep her safe.” It was all she said on the matter, though surely if they got out of here there would be a much longer conversation. “My kind of bonding,” she replied under her breath after a moment. It was a halfhearted attempt at a joke, but she was happy to move past the previous topic. “Blankets first, and water. And if we happen to find the Codeine while looking for them...” Solveig trailed off with a shrug. If they could focus on getting out of here alive maybe it would go by without incident. 

“True. I suppose there are worse locations for a fist fight,” Kat mused. Not that she’d really know how to properly use the medical supplies, if it came down to it, but Solveig probably would. The guard’s next words made Kat frown. “I’m sorry. Hopefully he just needs some time.” Though it was hardly comparable, that’s what Kat had needed- just some time and space away from her brother and Sol, to process things. “What’s going to happen when we eventually go back home? If Matty is still mad…” She looked down at her hands, picking at her cuticles. “I don’t know, I just don’t want you to have to quit.”

 “Hopefully,” Solveig agreed, though her tone was void of such hope. Even if things got better, they’d never go back to the way they used to be and she knew that. Knowing what she knew now though, she still wouldn’t change anything. It might take a while for Matthias to see it, but everything she’d done had been to keep Astrid safe. Maybe one day he’d appreciate that. After a quiet moment Solveig sighed. She’d been dreading this question, even asking it of herself. Katrien didn’t know that Solveig had written numerous letter of resignation and Matthias had never accepted them. “I do not think I will continue to work in the palace,” she replied softly. “I would like to bring Astrid to meet her father, and you, but I do not think I should continue my position.” Nor did she think Matthias would want her to. He’d already made it clear he didn’t want her as his security detail, and she didn’t see any point in staying somewhere she wasn’t wanted. He could deny her resignation while they were both stuck here, but once they left, he couldn’t stop her from leaving. 

Solveig was sitting, sipping a glass of red wine. She was careful to keep her features neutral as she watched the others enjoy themselves. It was bittersweet, watching Katrien and Matthias smile for the first time in what felt like ages. She knew that joy wasn’t meant for her, not after lying to the crown prince about his daughter for years. It was still fun to watch and reminisce on their past together. The thought of it brought a smile to lips though as she took another sip. 

Her eyes casually glued on Matthias, she hadn’t noticed that it was the younger Dutch that slid into the seat next to her. “Katrien,” she greeted, the memories of their past carrying into her mood greeting the girl. “Enjoying the lake party?”

Solveig was sitting at a table with a glass of wine watching the party. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, which somehow just made the blonde more angry. Rationally, she knew that everything that was going to happen was necessary. Whatever it took for the cause, right? Still, she’d never felt more like an outsider before. Maybe that was because of her falling out with Matthias, or loosing sentimental items she’d gotten from her daughter, or maybe even because she had to watch the man she fell over herself for be shamelessly charming to people she considered her enemy. Whatever it was, Solveig was perfectly happy to spend the next few hours drinking and waiting for the ball to drop, all while in the back of her mind a small voice told her there was still time to walk away. 

“That would be worth it,” Cassandra replied, nodding her head. “Just that bit of warmth. A nice change,” she agreed. “I wish for something closer to 11degrees though,” she admitted. “Nothing too warm but nothing too cool.”

Turning around, Lilliana ran over and gave her a huge hug. She missed Solveig so much that tears were coming to her eyes-and she rarely cried. “tt’s okay,” she told her, pulling back and wiping her eyes. “I’ve been trying to rebuild mine too…and not yell at nearly everyone in the process.” Which, she might add, might be very hard to do now that her shop had moved into the castle. 

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“Marble floors and lots of windows makes shitty insulation.” Avery saw no need to one-up someone based on their locations, yet it came out anyways. Rebels needed to get along, yet she couldn’t bring herself to stop sassing Solveig long enough to get anything done. “And I can agree with it. I kept my appendages, but my quarters went to shit.”