Chapter Eighteen/Epilogue

Shang Xiang scowled at the various midwives crowding her bed. The new Lady of Shu was covered in sweat, as she had just given birth to her child.

Liu Bei watched her with a small smile. During labour, she had screamed at the people trying to help her, moaned a lot and almost broken his wrist. He flexed it warily, wincing slightly.

"Sorry 'bout that," Shang muttered, before growling at a nearby maid.

"Where is my baby?"

The maid swallowed nervously.

"Lord Zhuge Liang went to…"

The door opened and Zhuge Liang stepped in, holding a bundle wrapped in a green and red blanket. He walked over to Shang and handed her the small baby.

"The baby is a girl, and very healthy,"

Shang's face lit up as the child clutched her finger between her tiny hands. Liu Bei watched on fondly at his wife and child. Shang Xiang moved the baby so she was in the middle of her parents, whom both cooed over the child with glee.

Zhuge Liang looked up at the stars, his expression one of worry. Yue Ying came up behind him and touched his shoulder gently.

"What troubles you, my husband?"

Zhuge Liang frowned before turning to his wife and holding her hands in his own. She watched his face with a calm expression, though she knew the news would not be good.

"Liu Ying's star is fading. I fear that she might be gone within the hour,"

Yue Ying didn't even ask if he could save her. If there was even the slightest chance, he would've tried already.

"There is something else,"

Zhuge Liang sighed and dropped her hands, turning back to regard the night sky.

"She may be the only link keeping them together. Shang Xiang is greatly different in many ways…and her opinions are somewhat opposing to his own. I fear that he may use some drastic plan to get her out the way, but still fool her family,"

Yue Ying sighed. It had seemed such a happy fairytale, and it should've had the appropriate ending. Yet the end was already in sight.

"Rest in peace little Liu Ying," the couple both whispered to the night sky as the fading star flashed brightly and then vanished.

Sun Shang Xiang committed suicide soon afterwards, after her husband faked his own death. Her grave was in Wu, as Liu Bei proceeded to try and forget all about her. But the Lord was punished with the birth of his idiot son, Liu Chan.

The sky was dark, the stars shining with all the life in the world. Liu Bei stood alone, his head bent and hands clenched.

My dearest Sun Shang Xiang,

I know that in heaven you will be scorning my words and I do not blame you. It was and still is I who is at fault. I am so sorry.

Although I faked my own demise to cause yours, I always loved you, and looking back I realise that now. I was blinded by my own foolish views of a wife that people had been telling me.

In my eyes you were perfect.

Please forgive me.

As he opened his eyes to look at the tiny space were her star had once shone, he smiled. For the star had appeared and shone for a brief moment, before disappearing again.

I love you too, arsehole.

So it's finally over! What did you guys think, and what would you like me to write next? Criticism and ideas would be appreciated, so please review!!