Alex's heart pounded in his chest as he faced Yu Xuan and his cronies. He knew that he was in grave danger, and he had to think fast.
"You're wrong," he said, his voice steady. "I'm not a covenantor."
Yu Xuan laughed. "Oh, really? Then what explains your beauty? And your connection to the royal family?"
Alex knew that he had to be careful. He couldn't reveal his true identity, not yet.
"It's a long story," he said. "A complicated story."
Yu Xuan raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I love a good story," he said. "Tell me, how did you manage to get so close to the emperor?"
Alex hesitated. He knew that he had to be careful. He couldn't give Yu Xuan any clues about his true identity.
"It's a long story," he repeated. "A complicated story."
Yu Xuan shrugged. "Whatever you say," he said. "But I still think you're a covenantor."
