Jack and The Cuckoo Clock Heart Preferences

Unless: Joe

Knock.
Knock.
Knock.

"Come in", Joe muttered, not bothering to look up from the book he read.

"Master Joe, your parents are expecting you in the den. They'd like to have a word with you."After announcing the reason for his arrival, the head butler for the Charbonneau family left, knowing the eldest Charbonneau son would promptly follow.

Joe couldn't be bothered to have another lengthy conversation with his parents. If it couldn't be discussed at the dinner table, then he knew it was important. Still, he wouldn't hear the end of it if he didn't show up for the chat so he stood up and made his way to the den.

On his way to the den, Joe couldn't help but think about Y/N. Not to say he was a gossipy hen, but whenever something happened, Joe always spilled the tea with Y/N. Surely, Y/N would know whatever Joe's parents had to say. It was one of their few bonding moments.

Joe entered the den, and bowed his head to his parents before taking a seat on the settee. "I was told you wanted to speak to me." His eyes shifted from his mother to his father.

There was no point in starting off with unnecessary niceties. The Charbonneaus were not those kind of folks, period. Naturally, Joe didn't waste time and instead, went straight to the point. His parents did the same.

"It's high time you start thinking about settling down, Joe. You know that it is tradition that the Charbonneau heir has to marry before they inherit the company. Your mother and I have already been looking-"

"I think I'll stop you right there, Father", Joe chimed in. "I can accept the fact that the family business will eventually be passed down to me, but the whole marriage deal is such a show. Frankly, I'd rather not go through with it if you two are going to have a say in my spousal decision." He raised a brow at his parents, almost daring them to protest.

Protest, they did.

"Whether you like it or not, Joe, you will be wed before you inherit my business. You will be wed to a girl- a girl like us. Enough of this nonsense with your silly little Andalusian girl. It's time you grow up and get your head out of your clouds." Joe's father stopped to give his son a cold, firm stare. "If you want to court any girls you already know, why not court the L/N girl? You seem to already spend a lot of time together. Clearly, chemistry is no issue, if that's what you're worried about."

"Wait, wait, wait- You mean to tell me you've been snooping around my friend? When were you going to tell me this? Don't I have a right to know?" Joe asked. He was starting to get upset, seeing as now, he was the last to know anything about anything.

"Anyway", his father ignored him before going back to his speech. "She comes from a good family, and her father and I have already discussed it. As of tonight, you will begin your courtship. Speaking of which, you should start getting ready. The staff is getting everything ready for the soirée we're hosting tonight."

Joe scoffed as he sank into his seat. Y/N went from being an option out of some, to just being his only option. He shouldn't have been surprised to his parents' opinion on Miss Acacia, but to just arrange an entire marriage to his friend? It was insane.

"Alright, father. Is there anything else I should know about before preparing for tonight's soirée?"

His father said nothing to him, his silence a sign Joe knew meant dismissal.