Racing Rivals, Racing Hearts ☆ [Diego Brando x Reader]

Farewell to a Legend (49)

The day of your father's funeral had arrived. It was a somber, gray morning, the sky overcast with heavy clouds that seemed to weep along with the mourners. The estate, which had always been filled with life and energy, was now cloaked in a heavy silence, as if the world itself paid its respects.

The family cemetery, which resided on the estate, was a quiet and beautiful place, surrounded by ancient trees and colorful flowers. Your father would join in the plot next to where your mother was buried for eternal rest.

As the mourners gathered, you stood near the open grave, your heart heavy with grief. Your father had been a notable figure in England's countryside, a legend in the world of horse racing, and today, many had come to pay their respects.

The service began, and the words of the priest offered solace and hope in the face of loss. The atmosphere was one of collective mourning, with a sense of sadness.

After the priest's words, guests began approaching you, offering their condolences. You accepted their words with grace, trying to find strength in their support. The mayor of the town approached you, his expression filled with respect.

"Miss Y/N," he began, "I wanted to inform you that the town has decided to build a statue in honor of your father. It will be a magnificent tribute, a statue of him next to a horse, a symbol of his lifelong dedication to racing."

A sense of pride and gratitude welled up within you. "Thank you," you whispered, tears glistening in your eyes. "It means the world to me."

But that wasn't all. The mayor continued, "We're also renaming the popular jockey training ground, the one your father practiced in so often in his prime, to the 'Louis L/N Training Facility.' It's our way of ensuring his legacy lives on."

Those words touched your wounded soul, and you nodded, your voice filled with emotion. "He would have been honored."

As the guests paid their respects and shared stories of your father's impact on their lives, you couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the love and respect he had earned.

Then, the time came for you to speak, to offer a eulogy for your father. You stepped forward, the weight of the moment settling heavily upon your shoulders. The mourners fell silent, their eyes fixed on you, waiting for your words.

Taking a deep breath, you began, "Friends, family, and honored guests, today we gather not only to mourn the passing of a remarkable man but to celebrate a life that was nothing short of extraordinary. My father, Louis L/N, was not just a father; he was a legend, a symbol of dedication, perseverance, and love for horses and racing."

Your voice trembled with emotion as you continued, "He was a man who lived and breathed the racing world, a man who didn't shy down from the responsibility of my family's legendary lineage of racing. But beyond his achievements, my father was a loving parent, a friend, and a mentor to many."

You spoke of his early days, his struggles, and his unwavering determination to succeed. You shared anecdotes of his kindness, his wit, and his ability to light up a room with his presence. You talked about how he had taught you to ride, to love horses, and to cherish the moments that truly mattered.

"As we lay him to rest beside my mother, I know that their spirits will continue to watch over this place, this estate that generations of my family have cherished so dearly," you said, your voice a bit steadier now, "But let us not mourn his passing as an end, but as a transition into legend. My father will live on in our hearts, in the horses he adored, and in the memories we shared."

With every word, you could feel the emotional weight lift from your heart.

You continued, "Let us remember him not with tears of sorrow, but with smiles of gratitude for the time we had with him. His legacy is not just in the races he won but in the lives he touched."