The "borrowing" Noah mentioned was never going to be as simple as taking a physical object.
For a sorcerer, borrowing something usually meant using methods that were hard to refuse.
Hermione more or less understood what he meant.
She didn't say anything, only rolled her eyes at him.
She knew Noah well enough.
He might use some clever-or forceful-means, but he would never harm innocent people.
More than that, he would always find a way to compensate whoever he had "borrowed" from.
There was no need to change into anything special.
As sorcerers, they both had spatial equipment containing spare supplies.
They selected two suitable wizard robes, tidied themselves up, called for a carriage, and headed straight for the Governor's mansion.
The guards at the entrance were clearly expecting them.
They received Noah and Hermione with polite efficiency and led them into a drawing room reserved for guests.
They didn't wait long.
Soon, the Governor himself appeared.
"Hello. I am Weatherby Swann, Governor of Port Royal. Welcome to Port Royal."
Governor Swann's demeanor was calm, courteous, and dignified.
"Greetings, Your Excellency," Noah said.
Both he and Hermione stood and performed a wizard's salute in unison.
"My name is Noah. This is my fiancée, Hermione. I'm afraid I cannot disclose my surname."
Governor Swann showed a trace of disappointment.
He had intended to gauge their status by their family name, but the young man had clearly anticipated that.
Still, their etiquette-though unfamiliar-was clearly the result of formal instruction.
Coupled with their refined bearing, the Governor concluded that they were likely descendants of some ancient family that preferred to remain anonymous.
Whether their engagement was officially recognized or merely personal, he couldn't tell.
"I heard you've been staying in Port Royal for some time?" Governor Swann asked smoothly, adjusting his approach.
"Yes. Nearly a week," Noah replied after a brief recollection.
Port Royal was an important Caribbean port, relatively prosperous by contemporary standards.
But from a modern perspective... it was best not to comment.
Neither Noah nor Hermione showed any condescension.
Their calm detachment-the kind that came from having seen much more-only reinforced the Governor's assumptions.
As the conversation continued, Governor Swann tentatively asked for their impressions of Port Royal.
Noah felt that this question had been directed at exactly the right person.
He didn't know much about urban planning.
Hermione did.
As Minister for Magic, this kind of discussion was effortless for her.
She began with praise.
Under Governor Swann's administration, Port Royal was stable, orderly, and steadily developing.
With time, it could easily become the foremost metropolis of the Caribbean.
Then she shifted to her own ideas.
Suggestions.
Improvements.
By the time she finished, Governor Swann felt like he'd aged ten years.
Why hadn't he noticed these things before?
City planning could be done like that?
Ports could be arranged in that manner?
Watching the composed, intelligent woman before him, the Governor couldn't help but wonder-
If he were thirty years younger, would he have fought desperately for her?
After concluding that topic, Governor Swann quietly noted down Hermione's points and guided the discussion toward Europe.
This was Noah's territory.
Though he couldn't pinpoint the exact year, his knowledge of history allowed him to converse with ease.
As the exchange deepened, Governor Swann realized just how broad Noah's understanding was.
Politics.
Military affairs.
Humanities.
History.
Noah had opinions on all of it-and not shallow ones.
This kind of knowledge required rigorous education.
In many cases, it required access that ordinary people simply didn't have.
In this era, commoners struggled just to survive.
Education like this was unthinkable.
These two weren't just refined and attractive.
Their intellect alone placed them far above most.
Combined with what he had observed of their daily habits, Governor Swann was now almost certain-
They were nobles.
And not ordinary ones.
The only unresolved question was why they were here alone.
No guards.
No attendants.
After some thought, he settled on a likely explanation.
Elopement.
If they were officially sanctioned by their families, how could they have traveled without protection?
Still, Governor Swann decided not to dig deeper.
Some answers were better left unknown.
Ensuring their comfort and safety in Port Royal was enough.
Once his thoughts were settled, he naturally invited Noah and Hermione to stay at the Governor's mansion.
His reasoning was... creative.
Though they were clearly noble and well-cultured, they didn't seem particularly skilled at protecting themselves.
Noah almost laughed.
But the invitation aligned perfectly with his plans.
He accepted without hesitation.
Governor Swann personally led them to the guest rooms.
He had originally intended to ask whether they wanted separate rooms.
But seeing the two enter together without the slightest hesitation, he abandoned the idea.
With a faint headache, he excused himself, leaving what he assumed was an eloping young couple alone.
"This Governor is actually quite decent," Hermione said, looking around with a smile.
"So this is how medieval nobles lived? It's nicer than I expected. I thought it would all be dark and gloomy."
"On an island like this, unless a storm's coming, it rarely feels that way," Noah replied, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I wonder how good the soundproofing is."
"Do you not know how to use magic?" Hermione said dryly, sitting down as well.
"You're always like this."
She paused.
"But the Governor does seem... worried about us. Did we cause him trouble?"
"He probably thinks we eloped," Noah said casually.
Which, unknowingly, was exactly right.
From his perspective, two people this outstanding traveling without guards was abnormal.
This wasn't a peaceful era.
Outlaws wouldn't care about appearances.
What Governor Swann couldn't imagine was that even a crowd of outlaws wouldn't pose the slightest threat to either of them.
At dinner, Noah and Hermione accepted the Governor's invitation.
It was then that Noah finally met the Governor's daughter, Elizabeth Swann.
She was something of a legend.
A young woman from a wealthy family who could survive among pirates.
If it were Noah, he doubted he could manage that.
Elizabeth was clearly curious about Noah and Hermione.
They left an exceptional first impression.
After introductions, Governor Swann announced the start of the meal.
Noah and Hermione's table manners were flawless.
They conversed naturally with the Governor, which only deepened Elizabeth's curiosity.
Why were these two here alone?
Was it really an elopement, like in the stories?
Noah had no idea what she was thinking.
If he did, he would probably just smile.
Elizabeth, unable to contain herself, finally asked after Noah answered one of her questions.
"Forgive me for asking, but why did you come here? There doesn't seem to be much pleasure to be found in Port Royal."
"Elizabeth," Governor Swann said immediately, rubbing his temples, "that was rude."
He apologized to Noah and Hermione.
"I'm very sorry. I've been too busy and neglected her upbringing."
"There's no need to apologize," Noah replied with a smile.
"Isn't the pursuit of truth what drives human progress?"
"Our reason for coming here is simple."
"We heard the scenery is beautiful."
"For those who live here, it may seem ordinary. For outsiders like us, it's quite different."
"It is beautiful," Governor Swann said proudly.
"If you like, I can arrange a tour of the nearby islands."
"Going out to sea?" Noah's eyes lit up.
"That would be wonderful. That was actually our goal-we just didn't want to impose."
"No trouble at all," the Governor said.
"However, you'll need to wait a few days. Tomorrow is Captain James Norrington's promotion to Commodore. The seas will be closed for the ceremony."
"Of course, if you're interested, you're welcome to attend."