Blessed
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Chapter 9: Insult You and Persecute You and Falsely Say All Kinds of Evil Against You
"Are you ready to go meet the Professor and Aunt Polly for the Friends of Narnia meeting, Lucy?"
"Almost, Jill." The Valiant Queen looked up from gathering her things. "I was actually going to ask you a favor."
"Of course. What do you need me to do?"
"Would you go and ask Susan to join us? She might actually listen to you."
"Certainly." Jill went to climb the stairs.
"Jill…"
She turned. "Yes, Lucy?"
Lucy took a deep breath. "Just…don't be surprised if she refuses in slightly…or not so slightly rude terms."
Jill smiled. "I have thick skin, Lu. Comes from hanging around your cousin."
Lucy laughed. "Carry on, then."
Jill began to ascend the stairs, mentally preparing the phrasing of her request. Upon reaching Susan's door, she knocked. "Susan? May I come in?"
"Of course, Jill."
The girl opened the door to see Susan plastering makeup on her naturally beautiful face. She turned, giving Jill a fake-looking smile. "Can I help you with something?"
"Well…there's a Friends of Narnia meeting tonight, and I was wondering if you were going."
Susan returned to her makeup. "Actually, I have a party to attend tonight."
"Oh…well, are you sure? I mean…Lucy said you went to one last night, too."
"I did, but I have social obligations to attend every party I am invited to. I'm sure you understand."
"Oh, well, yes, I-I suppose so. But-but can't you miss one party? We really would love to have you there."
"No, Jill, I'm afraid I can't. And even if I could, I wouldn't miss it. I would most certainly prefer to spend an evening pleasantly improving my social connections than in spending it with a bunch of children who refuse to grow up, instead wasting their time in childish fairytales and games."
"I see. Well, have a good evening."
"You as well."
Jill trudged back downstairs. Lucy gave her a sympathetic look. "She declined?"
"Yes."
"It wasn't you, you know. She would have said no to Peter, Edmund, me, Eustace, the Professor, and Aunt Polly. I suppose she's lost to us."
"Perhaps. But perhaps, Aslan still has plans to win back His Gentle Queen."
Lucy smiled. "You have more hope for her than I do. But you could be right. Come one; the boys will be waiting!"
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)
A/N: It's still Tuesday! And that is the end! Hope it lived up to your expectations, WH!
(And in case others are curious, chapters 5-8 were WH's ideas)
