Large strides have been made.
He trusts you more, depending on how you've been treating him.
If you are nice to him, he will trust you more. But if you are rude to him then nice to him he  will not trust you right away.

While he calls you a friend he does not let you hug him, depending on who you are.
For one, he allows her to hug him because she made him feel better during his sadness from reliving memories he had repressed.

He does not think he will ever love anyone again like he loved the countess, since he is still haunted by the good memories they shared. Her death having soured the memories because it just makes him realize that she's gone and he might not be able to make good memories like that with someone new.

Good luck in your endeavours, but should you betray his trust one too many times..he will kill you.