Author's note: this story (a sequel to Hell's angel) is set pre-PD1. King Rupert died but prince Philippe is alive.

Hell's angel – part 2

Chapter 1 – Sleepwalking

´I told you: Iglesias swears that the registration papers say that the Queen owns the motor cycle.´

´Iglesias is a storyteller!´ a butler contributed to the discussion taking place in the Castle's kitchen.

Miss Breton, the Queen's first dress maid, shook her head: ´Why would he make it up? It must be a present for prince Philippe.´

Silence was followed by laughter. How could they have been so silly? Of course it was a present! The prince's birthday was three months away but why shouldn't Her Majesty spoil her son? His bike was ten years old after all.

Mr Jonas, the legal advisor, wasn't convinced. ´If it's his, why is her name on the papers?´

´To prevent him from driving it when she thinks he's reckless,´ gardener Claude offered.

The guards sat up straight when the Head of Security walked in to have lunch. He was followed by Miss Kutaway. Mrs Danieli, the cook, said: ´The idea of the Queen buying a motor cycle for herself is as crazy as... as...´

Joe's expression made the cook forget about finding a comparison.

´Are you alright Mr Romero?´

Charlotte said: ´It must be for prince Philippe. He's returning home today.´

Mrs Danieli said that it was exactly what everyone was thinking.

´Iglesias told me it's a great machine. He drove up the parking of Old Sam's, that road house near Antiem, to make the other bikers jealous,´ Claude said.

Iglesias! Joe suddenly remembered that just before he had gone to his room the previous night, he had heard some guards talk. He hadn't paid much attention, just noticed Iglesias being mentioned, but when the Queen was brought into the conversation he had focused to hear more. Motor cycle, stables... It hadn't made sense to him but he now understood the origins of the nice dream he'd had. He shook his head. Honestly, just when he had more or less gotten rid of the picture of the Queen in a motor suit, everyone talked about her buying a motor cycle.

´Lucky Philippe!´ Joe heard someone say. That did it: there was nothing dreamy about the prince in a leather suit. He would make it through the day after all.

OoOoOoO

The Queen and her youngest son left the Castle. The prince offered his mother his arm.

´I can't believe you've actually bought it.´

´I have Philippe. And you'll love it.´

Joe followed the royals to the stables where the horses whinnied them a welcome.

The Queen gave each animal a quick caress.

´Hello old girl,´ the prince greeted his mare, ´I'll be back but I have to go to the garage now.´

´How so?´ the Queen wanted to know.

´To see that marvellous bike!´

´It's here.´

´Mother, this is a stable. Normal people park a motor cycle in the garage. Wouldn't you say so Joe?´

Joe coughed. ´It is usual to do so, Your Highness.´

´Garages come with mechanics, don't they?´ the Queen said to her son.

The prince laughed and playfully hit his mother on her behind.

´Philippe!´

Joe managed to look blank.

The Queen walked, nay, almost floated, to the last box and smiled radiantly. Her son followed her.

´Good Lord, Mother! That is one hell of a bike!´

´Do you like it?´

´I love it! It's a powerful machine ...´

He caressed the seat.

´It's also elegant.´

He looked at his beaming mother.

´I think it's you. Why don't you step aside.´

The Queen stepped back.

´I was right,´ the prince said after walking around the motor cycle admiringly, ´without you it's a well lined bike but...´ he gestured her to come near and she obliged, ´with you it's an elegant vehicle.´

´Oh really pumpkin.´

Joe suppressed a grin.

The prince put his arm around his mother's waist.

´It's perfect,´ he said, looking at the machine.

Joe silently agreed.

´But you know Mother, I just can't picture you riding it.´