Sweet Dreams | Finn Mikaelson (book 2)

10. Sisters, Stakes and Secrets (Fran)

A/N: the usual stuff, vote, comment etc.

City of Somnia, Kingdom of Lacertus, southern Italy. 1424.

Francesco was always a very devoted. As devoted to his king and queen as he was to his God. However, if there ever came a day when his thoughts could run freely, without the fear of death or eternal damnation for speaking against his rulers, Fran would most likely had said:

"I hope those bloody gits trip and fall down the highest tower."

Unfortunately, today was not such a day... not yet, at least. So, when King Pierro himself, after walking out into the castle's garden and telling Francesco to, somehow, accomplish the impossible task of growing two thousand red roses in less than a month, he simply bowed down and said: "Yes, my King."

The answer satisfied the enraged ruler, who marched away. Leaving Fran alone with his dirty shovels and more than a few unholy thoughts about cursing the King's entire blood line. But as usual, Fran kept his mouth shut and worked on solving the problem ahead.

Working in the royal castle was never as dreamy as Francesco or his mother had hoped. Queen Valentina and King Pierro were very rich and powerful, of course. They were even richer than it was usual for kingdoms as small as theirs. Yet, for as much as they seemed to adore spending their money, the wages they paid were below standard. King and queen had spared no amount of gold in the construction of their castle, even if maintaining it did not seem to be a priority.

At 20 years of age, Francesco won a competition to become the Castle's official gardener. His design for three gardens (one on the grounds surrounding the castle, one within the castle walls, in one of the unused yards, and one at the top of the largest towers) was perhaps the boldest design in the entire competition. The judges would have surely brushed Fran as mad, had he not also brought the most beautiful and exotic flowers anyone in their city had ever seen (the seeds for such flowers had been the thoughtful gifts from the Man). They put Francesco in charge of the development of the gardens, and for a few years, he worked alongside many masons and other experienced gardeners to make sure the project succeeded. However, now with the gardens done and beautiful, Francesco was the only one working to maintain them.

From time to time, when he needed extra help, Fran would call for his sister, Alissa. It awfully displeased Regina when her eldest daughter arrived home with dirt from head to toe. Their mother would much rather have Alissa working in the castle as a maid, and Fran knew it. But it was better to call Alissa than to waste money hiring someone else who would do a terrible job and possibly doubt Fran's authority. And yet, for as much as Fran loved his little sister, he had vowed to only ask for Alissa's help when it was absolutely necessary. Not for fear of upsetting their mother, but because his sister had the terrible habit of flirting with the castle maids, and Francesco was sure her indiscrete courtships would someday get them both burned alive.