A loveless lover, but capital (4)

I believe the answer is:

rome

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'capital' is the definition.
(capital of Italy)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for rome that I've seen before include "Italian city" , "All roads lead to it" , "Basis for cheese" , "Colosseum city" , "When there, do as the native do" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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