Empress Renée was confused. She furrowed her eyebrows and waited for an explanation from the Mystery Miracle Worker. However, she didn't get one.
"I thought we had already established that I won't give you the key," she said.
"Yes, and then I figured, 'what if she didn't need the key?'" the Miracle Worker replied. "You see, Empress, I know of an entrance into the Cataras Springs where you don't need a key. You can enter from beneath the island in which the garden is located."
Renée processed these words. "I still need the key to know how much time I have left."
"How does the key show you?" asked the Miracle Worker. She held out her hand to receive the key.
The empress hesitated, but handed the key over. "When the rose has completely bloomed, my time is up."
The Miracle Worker examined the key. "How long ago did you receive it?"
"About a year and seven months ago I think," Renée answered.
"At what stage was the rose?"
"It was a bud barely opening."