Chapter 253 CHAPTER 253

Chapter 253 CHAPTER 253
Sebastian tightened his grip on the bars as the footsteps rushed closer, sharper now, no longer distant or uncertain. The rhythm carried purpose, and before he could call out to the others, the door burst open and light spilled into the space, cutting through the dimness that had wrapped around them for too long.

Guards moved in quickly, their presence filling the room, their voices low but firm as they worked the locks.

“You’re safe,” one of them said, already reaching for the first cell.

Sebastian didn’t move immediately. His shoulders stayed tense for a second longer, his eyes scanning the doorway as if expecting something else to follow.

Then the lock gave way.

The door opened.

He stepped out.

The air outside felt different—lighter, easier to breathe—and for a moment, he just stood there, letting it settle into his chest. Around him, the other boys were being guided out, some leaning heavily on the guards, others moving slowly on their own, their steps uneven but determined.

“Sebastian.”

The voice reached him before the movement did.

He turned.

Lisa stood a few steps away.

Liam stood beside her, one arm resting lightly over her shoulders, his weight leaning slightly into her as if he was steadying himself more than her. There was a stiffness in the way he stood, a quiet strain in his posture that hadn’t been there before.

Sebastian’s eyes moved over them quickly, taking it all in—the closeness, the way Lisa’s hand rested at Liam’s side as if without thinking, the faint tension in Liam’s jaw that spoke of pain he wasn’t voicing.

For a second, Sebastian didn’t speak.

Then he stepped forward.

“Ella—” he started.

Lisa shook her head gently, cutting him off before he could continue. “We know,” she said. “Liam figured it out.”

Sebastian’s brows pulled together slightly. “You knew?”

Liam let out a small breath, shifting his weight slightly. “Not at first,” he said. “But it started making sense.”

Sebastian nodded slowly, his gaze moving between them.

“And Helena? Jocelyn?” he asked.

“They’re safe,” Lisa replied. “They’re waiting at the edge of the village.”

Sebastian’s shoulders lowered slightly, the tension easing just a fraction.

“Did you get her- Seraphine?” he asked.

Liam’s gaze shifted briefly, his expression tightening. “She escaped,” he said. “With Ella.”

Sebastian exhaled slowly.

“They won’t go far,” Liam added, his voice quieter now but steady. “Not with everything closing in on them.”

Sebastian held his gaze for a moment, then nodded.

“Thank you,” he said.

Lisa shook her head immediately. “No,” she replied. “We should be thanking you.”

Sebastian frowned slightly. “For what?”

“For holding on,” she said. “For everything you did in there.”

Liam nodded once. “Without you, we wouldn’t have been able to pull this off the way we did.”

Sebastian let out a small breath, his lips curving faintly. “It wasn’t just me,” he said. 

A quiet pause settled between them.

Then Sebastian glanced at Lisa again, something shifting in his expression.

“About the bond…” he started.

Lisa held his gaze.

Sebastian exhaled softly. “I think we can both agree,” he said, “it’s done what it was meant to do.”

Lisa nodded slowly. “I think so too.”

There was no tension in her voice. No hesitation. Just clarity.

Sebastian looked at her for a second longer. “Then maybe it’s time…”

“Sebastian.”

The voice came from behind him.

He turned quickly.

Richard stepped forward, his posture firm but his expression softer than Sebastian had ever seen it.

For a moment, Sebastian just stared.

Then he moved.

The distance between them disappeared in seconds as he stepped into his father’s arms, his grip tightening as if he had been holding that moment back for too long.

Richard’s arms wrapped around him just as firmly, one hand coming up to the back of his head, holding him there.

“You’re alright,” Richard said quietly.

Sebastian let out a breath that felt like it had been sitting in his chest for days. “I am now.”

Richard pulled back slightly, his hands still resting on Sebastian’s shoulders as he looked him over.

“You saved them,” he said. “The boys. From Silverpine, from Grand Valley… all of them.”

Sebastian shook his head faintly. “It was a team effort dad,” he said glancing at Lisa and Liam.

Richard’s lips curved slightly. “That’s what I meant.”

His gaze shifted briefly to Lisa and Liam.

“Commander Blackthorne, Your Higness,” he said, stepping closer to them and stretching his hand towards them. “Thank you.”

Lisa smiled softly. “You don’t have to…”

“I do,” Richard said gently. “And I owe you more than that.”

His gaze lingered on Lisa for a moment longer.

“I’m sorry,” he added. “For everything before. I should have seen things differently.”

Lisa’s expression softened. “We’re here now,” she said. “That’s what matters.”

Richard nodded once.

“And Lisa,” he continued, his gaze shifting.

Liam straightened slightly despite the discomfort.

Richard gave a faint smile. “Congratulations,” he said. “On finding your place… and your person.”

Liam blinked once, then let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head slightly. “Didn’t expect to hear that from you,” he said.

Richard’s expression didn’t falter. “Neither did I.”

That earned a small smile from Liam.

He shifted his weight slightly, then glanced between Sebastian and Richard before speaking again.

“You know,” he said, his tone lighter now, though something thoughtful sat beneath it, “it’s strange.”

Sebastian raised a brow. 

Liam let out a breath, his gaze moving between them. “After everything… after all the times I thought about the two of you…”

He paused briefly, as if choosing his words.

“I never imagined we’d be standing like this,” he continued. “Talking. Not fighting. Not planning how to take each other down.”

Sebastian’s lips curved faintly. “You thought about that a lot?”

Liam huffed lightly. “More than I’d like to admit.”

Richard watched him quietly.

“There was always this… anger,” Liam added. “Every time your names came up.”

Sebastian shook his head slightly. “We deserved that.”

A quiet moment followed.

“Funny how things turn,” he continued.

“Or how we do,” Richard added.

Liam nodded slowly.

Before any of them could say more, a voice carried across the clearing.

“The king has arrived.”

The words settled quickly.

The small circle broke as their attention shifted.

Sebastian turned first.

Lisa followed.

Liam straightened.

And from the far end of the clearing—

King Ethan stepped forward.