A mild breeze blew from behind Vivian, making her hair fluttered, the servants stayed frozen, staying as if they had not heard a thing, but inside? they would all have probably thought, *A deal with duke Neptine of the north? has her ladyship finally lost it?* Duke Neptine stared at her, then slightly smirked and replied, "A deal you say.... how much bolder have you gotten since i last saw you, Vivian Neptine?"
Vivian froze, her father had called her with her surname, which could mean that he was either making a re-judgment of her skills, or hat he was annoyed, but let's think it's the first one for now. Vivian slightly bowed her head, then smirked. "it would be more like a... wager, father. We both bet something. Of course, if you too afraid to make a wager with your own daughter... then that would be disappointing" That's it, Vivian had cast the bait and said as much as she could to push her father to take it, this might be her only way of building a new path for herself, at the very least, the easiest way.
The duke's smirk had widened at Vivian's boldness, and of course, being the feared duke of the north he is, it would be disgraceful to not accept a challenge from his own daughter, "Very well, Vivian, you have intrigued me. Now, what shall be the terms of this wager?" Internally, the duke was already re-analyzing regarding Vivian's qualifications as heir, he had yet to name his son the heir, so Vivian could be quite useful, only if she proves herself that is.
Vivian jumped with joy internally, though externally, she remained dignified and composed her father had taken the bait. "If I may father, perhaps this conversation would best be continued in your office?"
Her fathers smirk widened with amusement, "very well, lead the way." he said, it did not take vivian a second sooner to sigh with relief and lead the way to her fathers' study. Vivian marvelled at how, even though it was her first time heading to her fathers office, she instinctively knew where to go. Inside, the duke took his seat and rested his elbows on the desk. "Now... what is this wager you are proposing.... daughter?" Vivian took a deep breath to steel her nerves and replied... "The canyon of the north, I have a way to secure it" The duke froze, could she, a sheltered child even find a way to secure the canyon? Afterall even skilled strategists could not find even a sliver of hope.