His actual ID and picture didn't justify his accurate description. It didn't say that he has a thick, dark hair, with sapphire eyes that could entrap any women's heart, and an aesthetic face that could make the angels wept.

He's like an embodiment of Prince Charming.

"Record on. Dallas, Lieutenant Eve and Peabody, Detective Delia, interviewing a suspect Kyrios Ameranti under the case code 974830OX.", Eve said as she entered the room. "Do I have to read your rights again?"

"Where's the Princess?", Kyrios demanded.

"I have no intention to tell you."

"Is she alright? Safe? Did the bastard hurt her?"

"You tell me."

He fisted his hands on the table. "Do you think I'll harm her? Kill her?"

"You have the means, the ways, and the opportunity to kill her.", Eve answered matter-of-factly. "She was related to the man who arranged for your grandparent's deportation. She was the symbol of the government that made your parents suffer. You might not be a rebel, but you're seeking some refuge to outside borders. Then you're at the same scene when the murder happened. So don't even wonder why you're a suspect."

"I'm in love with her."

"Yet Love kills."

"Of course.", he said wearily. "But I don't have the capacity to do that, or even kill a human being. If only I could defend myself using my feelings alone. This is circumstantial."

"Then tell us the reason why you're there.", Peabody nudged.

"To get the blueprints. Me and Petun planned this beforehand, that there's no need for me to roam around the building and check the actual interiors. The royal household knows me, and I couldn't risk myself to check her."

"You never contacted her via 'link? Or even left her a memo cube perhaps?"

"That's impossible. All her life they forbade her to have communication access outside, let alone use telephones."

This is a fucking 21st century, Eve thought. She couldn't even imagine living a life without a 'link, PPC or even Autochef.

Then he continued. "The hotel staffs never doubted me when I asked for it, thinking it was for the Offertory's security."

"Who were these staffs? What rooms and floors did you go?", Eve asked.

"Only first and third floors. For the staff, I believe it was Maddy, no - it Sandy. And then a crew named Tom and Jeremy...not very sure if I hear their names right. There was a young girl at the kitchen, and it seems that I startled her..."

He made a long pause, and then a realization struck him. "There must be surveillance cameras in the area. And those people, they can prove my alibi."

"That, if the owner of the establishment will defend you that the murder happened while you're stealing at them.", Eve responded without mentioning that all of the recorded disks were stolen.

She laid the pictures of Amir and Mathilde on the table. Despite of his calm demeanor, she saw anger and pity.

"I don't know them, but their names were in the news. The Princess was not mentioned.", he murmured. "But you playing her means that she's there. Somebody tried to kill her."

"Did you know why she's with them?"

"No - and if I did, I wouldn't mind. We have planned this moment before she came here, and if she's the one who initiated that meeting, that means she's trying to minimize the impact of our decisions."

"And you didn't."

He looked at her. "Let's say yes, but you couldn't blame me for having those sentiments. Her own family locked her since she's a baby because it's their tradition, and when somebody tried to kill her inside her own home, nobody dared to protect her. This is not her first time to face death threats, Lieutenant, and kidnapping her is the only way to save her."

"You and me against the world.", Peabody awed.

"Did you tell anybody about your plans? Friends?", Eve asked him.

"No. Not a soul."

"How about your relationship with her? Did you give a hint to any of the Royalties?"

"I wouldn't be here if they knew. However - ", he said with a shrug. "I was an on-train Royal musician, and have some exchange conversations with the staffs there. Once I asked about the isolated chamber - in which I later learned that it was Petun's room - and if my memory serves right, Princess Sora was there. We had a practice that time for her banquet."

Eve stood up. "Thank you for your cooperation. Just make yourself available - because you might be relieved from the murders, but you have to face possible charges of theft and attempted kidnapping."

Kyrios stood up as well. "Can I see her? Petun?"

"Like what I've said, make yourself available."

"Do you think the hotel would sue him?", Peabody asked when they left the room.

"I don't know. We're cops, not lawyers."

"You're too lax with him. Kyrios."

"He's innocent and naive, but that doesn't mean I don't have to grill him.", Eve replied with a sigh. "I've been controlling myself not to twitch."

"Aww, Dallas. Give the man a break. He's like a knight in shining armor, trying to save his Princess.", Peabody commented. "Hey, can you make the two meet? Can I be there to witness that moment?"

"Don't squeal like a squashed puppy for God's sake, you're a cop!"

"But I can't help it! Isn't it adorable to see a real-life 'star-crossed lovers'? The Romeo and Juliet?"

"Star-crossed lovers my ass. They were hormonal, naive, and very stupid. Stupidity exists if you're too much in love. It always defies logic."

"Like somebody's here never been stupid...even until now.", Roarke commented as he walked between them to poke Eve's rib. "And I'm guilty to be a victim of that said phenomenon."

"Bite me.", she scowled, and then focused on Feeney. "What's the verdict?"

"He's good, Dallas. Thanks to the road cams, there was a record of him going out of the building just two minutes before the murder occurred. If his conned victims would collaborate with his statements, then he's clean. Gotta praise your man here Peabody, for unearthing the timestamps.", Feeney answered.

"Where's Baxter and Trueheart?"

Before he could reply, Afef barged inside.

"Lieutenant, I know that you have completely informed me about the protocols of this situation, but the Prince and Princess wanted to speak to the...royal Highness. If you know what I mean."

"Fucking perfect.", Eve grinned.

It took her a while to remove the enhancements, and for the first time, she'll be meeting the Royal couple as Lieutenant Dallas.

Prince Lamook looked distraught sitting on the corner, while his wife Princess Sora was beside him. Both stood up when Eve walked in.

"How's the royal Princess?", Lamook asked.

"She's with her butler, and wanted to be alone with him for a while. But don't worry, we already contained the suspect. The Princess is safe."

"Tha-that's great. That means the wedding will be carrying out tomorrow."

It pissed her off how this man was more concerned about the wedding rather than his sister's welfare. He didn't even ask about the suspect's identity and the reason behind the act.

Families, she thought, we're sometimes unloving, cruel, and evil.

"If the Princess would like to rest tonight, then we'll check her tomorrow.", Sora said.

Princess Sora was indeed alluring, with a sultry and well-pampered body, and according to the accumulated data, she had attended several functions with several foreign dignitaries despite of being the fifth wife. It means that Lamook favoured her.

But their actions speak volumes.

Sora might be genuinely worried, but it was not for Petun.

She held her husband's arm for solace, clinging to him like someone with unrequited feelings, but Lamook didn't reciprocate her gestures. And even though Lamook knew about the NYPSD's façade, he never gave any hints about it.

That means he could easily lie to his wife.

Wonder what would be his reaction if he learned that she could also lie to him, by murdering two people?

She wanted to grill her badly, but that would only lead to some complications. Sora might be a royal consort, a wife, but she has an influence to mock the Harmin kingdom. Besides, she's a daughter of one of their enemy borders. 

Another reason for her to kill.

Before they could leave, Eve asked her. "If you're Princess Petun, what would you do if your lover would kidnap you on the night of your wedding?"

She didn't balk. Instead, she looked at her straight with wonder.

"If that happens to me, and then somebody caught us, I could kill them."

Sora's smile might be innocent, but Eve finds it vicious. Possessive. Dangerous. Evil.

When they left, Roarke walked in.

"If I kept a secret from you, and then you later learned it from other people, what would you do?", Eve asked.

"It depends on what kind of secret that is, whether it's with good or bad intention. If it's on a personal level, I would confront you for valid reasons why you hide it from me."

"But you can kill. For me."

"Aye, my darling.", he replied without any hesitation. "Especially if it's someone who could harm you. Or anyone of us."

"Of course.", she sighed. "Love can be twisted or blind sometimes."

"Always."
 
There was a long pause.
 
"I'll be married tomorrow, but not to you."
 
"Want me to kill your next husband? It'll be a pleasure."
 
Eve chuckled on his comment, but before she could response, Roarke wrapped his arms around her.
 
"You're hiding something from me, Eve."
 
"Hmm."
 
It surprised him she didn't flinch or gave any violent reaction, and when he looked at her whiskey eyes, they were full of warmth and love. Added to that, she seems amused.
 
"Darling, is it something that would make me commit murders?"
 
She gave a short laugh that confused him more.
 
"What's for tomorrow, Roarke?"
 
"Your second wedding.", he scoffed. "And your first's anniversary."
 
"Did you forget that we waged a bet about it? The best present?"
 
His eyes narrowed. "Are you planning to make me jealous?"
 
"Oh no, I don't want you to get jealous. You're scary when you're jealous, and you'll be a maniac if I make you jealous.", Eve teased as she kissed his scowled mouth. "But this time, you will be - because I have the best surprise present for you."
 
"Oh. A challenge. I like that. Where is it?"
 
Somehow Eve couldn't control her grin. If only he knew that his present was actually in front of him.
 
"Tomorrow you'll see."