Francois Beaufort is an Imperial orphan living in Honorhall Orphanage.
Background
He is friends with Runa Fair-Shield, Hroar, Samuel and Aventus Aretino. He says that a year ago his parents dropped him off at the orphanage and left him waiting for them to return for him. If the Dragonborn goes there to adopt him, he is open to this until his real parents come and get him.
While Grelod the Kind is alive, Francois is miserable and depressed. However, he still harbors hope that his parents will return, something that Grelod intends to eliminate. Because of Grelod's cruelty, Francois is convinced that the woman is part Hagraven. When Grelod is killed, he is overjoyed to see her gone, as are the other children.
Related quests
Conversations
Grelod "Those who shirk their duties will get an extra beating. Do I make myself clear?"
Samuel "Yes, Grelod."
Runa "Yes, Grelod."
Hroar "Yes, Grelod."
Francois "Yes, Grelod."
Grelod "And one more thing! I will hear no more talk of adoptions! None of you riff-raff is getting adopted. Nobody needs you, nobody wants you. That, my darlings, is why you're here. Why you'll always be here, until you come of age and get thrown into that wide, horrible world. Now, what do you all say?"
Samuel "We love you, Grelod. Thank you for your kindness."
Runa "We love you, Grelod. Thank you for your kindness."
Hroar "We love you, Grelod. Thank you for your kindness."
Francois "We love you, Grelod. Thank you for your kindness."
Grelod "That's better. Now scurry off, my little guttersnipes."
Trivia
- Despite having a Breton name, in the Creation Kit he is listed as an Imperial. This could just be a mistake by Bethesda, or it could mean that Francois is the son of a Breton and an Imperial.