Rekindling

(The blurb is in first person; the story is in third person)

I'm an idiot.

I transmigrated into a supporting character from a modern urban fantasy novel, born into a family of occult practitioners.

According to the plot, I'd be defeated by the protagonist and torn apart by evil spirits. Then I'd be reborn at the beginning of the story, see the error of my ways, and help the protagonist from then on, earning a happy ending.

I was even lucky enough to transmigrate before the rebirth plot began. I could use my knowledge of the book to avoid getting reborn and go straight to being a good supporting character who helps the protagonist.

I could have lived freely and happily, without a care in the world.

But I lost my mind. I fell for the protagonist.

If I wanted him, I had to have him.

He was a celestial master of the occult sect. Among those who practiced exorcism, anyone who reached the highest level could form a pact with a lamplighter.

A lamplighter's soul was linked to the celestial master's. When the master hunted ghosts and drove away evil spirits, the lamplighter would light a soul lamp to protect the master's soul.

The celestial master and lamplighter shared a spiritual bond, and often became lovers.

I wasn't capable enough, but I used my family's influence to force him into a pact with me. Our souls were linked, and I became his one and only lamplighter.

I took what I wanted by force. I made things difficult for him. I was vile and selfish.

So when I exhausted myself lighting his lamp, my soul torn apart in unbearable agony, he only looked at me coldly and scolded me for overestimating my abilities. I understood: I deserved it.

I knew I was wrong.

Fortunately, I still had one chance to be reborn.

Following the plot, I let go of his hand in front of him and plunged without hesitation into an abyss overflowing with miasma.

I let him go.

I gave him what he wanted.

I died horribly.

All I had time to see was his blood-red eyes.

He must have been crying with joy.

-

As expected, I was reborn.

This time, he could be the brilliant, beloved son of heaven, and I could be an ordinary supporting character who minded my own business. Everything would return to the right track, and we'd both be happy.

I thought we'd have nothing to do with each other anymore.

But he kept bothering me, always acting as if he were afraid I'd kill myself.

I didn't understand what was wrong with him, and I couldn't be bothered to find out.

I thought that in this life, we could finally go our separate ways.

Until, by accident, I lit a lamp to protect his soul.

Only a lamplighter who had formed a pact with a celestial master's soul could do that.

I was so terrified I nearly lost my soul.

How could this happen?

In this life, I never formed a soul-lamp pact with him.

*Both leads are reborn; one-on-one romance; happy ending

*The little skits and interactions in the blurb are there to showcase the premise and may not appear in the main story

*The blurb may be revised before the story begins

*The cover is a template

Theme: Cherish life