Lenora laughed as she ran through the yard,Nero barking excitedly running close behind. The young girl was nearly the picture of her father, her pale skin and long black hair which she always wore in braids seemed almost doll like, but it was her bright blue eyes and charming smile that would draw the attention. Her eyes sparkled brilliantly and her smile was infectious.

"Come on Nero, Daddy says we can play catch while Mummy's away, we can play a lot. Mummy is with Cousin Ciel today and they will not be back soon. I miss my Mummy but I know it will be okay because I have you, Daddy,Uncle Luca and Gramma. Are you ready?" The demon hound barked,wagging his tail and ran around in a circle.

Lenora threw the ball and giggled as Nero sped off to retrieve it, it didn't take long before the dog was back in front of her, dropping the ball at her feet. Lenora clapped her hands and laughed.

"Good boy, I do not understand why Mummy hates you, I love you, you are good." She said wrapping her arms around her pet. Nero wasted no time in returning the affection, he licked her cheek frantically. Lenora didn't seem to notice the figure across the street standing in her grandmother's yard silently.

The enormous spider stood still, staring at the child, its black beady eyes following her as she ran playfully, slowly it crept across the lawn nearing the path that separated it from Lenora.

Sensing its approach, Lenora grinned turning to greet the creature now close enough for her to reach out and touch.

Nero growled, his fur standing up on his back. The spider rushed forward causing the young hound to yelp fearfully and back down. Lenora shook her head, her mile fading.

"You should be nicer to Nero Claude, he's a good puppy" She scolded fearlessly.

"My apologies my Butterfly, I meant it no harm, I was merely defending myself." the spider replied gently. Claude extended a long front leg to the child in greeting. Lenora reached out her hand and pressed it carefully to the spider's leg. Claude moved his appendage slowly against her tiny palm causing her to giggle once more.

"That tickles, you are so silly Claude, I love you." Claude's heart lept at her words.

"I love you as well little one, tell me, how is your mother?"

"He is okay, Daddy sent him to have Mummy time with Cousin Ciel. I miss Mummy."

"I know, I also miss him, but thankfully, he will return you and I will see him the next time he visits your grandmother. It will be alright."

"Claude, why does Mummy say you cannot come and play with me?"Lenora asked innocently, Claude sighed.

"Because I made a lot of mistakes a long time ago and he has not been able to forgive me, nor can I forgive myself."

"Poor Claude, but you love my Mummy and me." The girl patted the large front leg sympathetically.

"That's true Lenora, you and your mother are precious to me, never forget that, One of the many mistakes I made was never telling your mother how much I love him." Claude confessed sadly.

"Why did you not tell Mummy, maybe he would have let us play. You can tell him when he is home today."

"No my dear Lenora, I'm afraid your mother doesn't care for me, he's gone so far as to tell me to stay away from you,I've given him no reason to trust me."

"Mummy does not like you?"

"No. Because of my past mistakes. I can't tell you about them now, but one day I will share the details."

"It would be nice if Mummy liked you. Then we could all play together. Do you think Mummy will be angry because we play?"

"If he knew, yes. He would be angry at me" Lenora looked down at the ground.

"Does that mean we cannot play anymore?"

"No Butterfly, it does not. I will always be here for you and your mother. I love you both very much."

"Can we play the game please?"

"Of course we can, but remember that you are perfectly safe with me and I will never allow anything to harm you."

"Yes, I know. You are nice to me." She said as the spider climbed into the tree and began spinning an elegant web. Lenora watched in silent wonder as the delicate structure was formed strand by strand, when he was finished Claude lowered himself down just far enough for the child to grab onto him, pulling herself onto his back.

"Hold on tightly now Lenora." He instructed, climbing back up and allowing Lenora to lie on the silky threads. She giggled as he spun his web around her, encasing her body but allowing her arms to remain free.

"I like the web swing, and I am safe because you will push me easy so it does not fall down. You are fun!"

"I'm glad you feel that way, I am curious as to why you prefer this monstrosity to any other form."

"Because you are a scary spider, I have not seen one bigger than you and no one would come to hurt me if there is a big spider that will gobble them up if they try to hurt me. I am very smart." She said confidently as she was being lowered down from the web, she was held up by two threads, which she gripped one in each hand as Claude carefully pushed her with his long front legs, the girl laughed.

The sound created a sense of happiness for Claude who loved Lenora as if she were his daughter, the fact that she was not, was just one in a list of regrets that would only continue to grow, he was sure of it. The guilt for what he had done to Alois tore at his heart each day since he realized the truth. He loved his former master, and because of his greed, that love would always be out of his reach. Though Alois had made it clear, Claude couldn't stop loving him or his little butterfly, in the spider's mind, they would be his to protect and cherish always, even if it was from a distance.