You find an ally you didn't expect

While it's tempting to go and talk to Cerralla it won't do to so obviously side with her. Plus, you're not personally familiar with the eldest royal daughter. Lessia sees you as a good man but you've always been an opportunist. If Davris proves to be the better candidate - for the country, your catgirls and for yourself... heh, you would happily help make sure his older sister disappears. Quietly and without trace. The picture of Cerralla, coated with fur and sporting nothing but a bow tie as she pops out of a gift box has a certain appeal.

On the other hand Davris has so far shown himself to be brash, a little grating, willing to interfere in the matters of mages and, worst of all, uninterested in the plight of your needy kittens. Most of this can be excused, but you get the feeling that Davris will rule as he wills, without regard for the peasants, merchants or nobles. Kings like that either rule for years with an iron fist, are overthrown by their own or are ousted after a massive military defeat.

A lot of people are pledging to the new regent, but that's an easy pill to swallow. Davris can't really count on anything until the king dies - until then both he and his sister will be busily marshaling support and making promises. Worse, there are at least a half dozen people who are sure to see themselves as kingmakers. The three most powerful dukes, a pair of excellent generals, two mages you can name with egos big enough to think 'kingmaker' rather than more cautiously aiming for 'vizier' or similar. Then there are two extremely rich merchants - if anyone got them both on their side they could buy up every mercenary out there. All that without even thinking about the highest levels of the clergy. You have to pray they learned their lesson after the infighting over king Caravis.

While you're thinking about who to talk to one of your catgirls goes over and introduces herself to Cerralla. It's all very friendly and nice, but you're sure everyone will think that was your doing. Cerralla is probably going to be wondering what message or what secret meeting place you've arranged. This is why dealing with a political fracas has always been low on your list of enjoyable tasks. Everything you do, everything your catgirls do, everyone they manage to pull away to the Ambassadorial wing - every bit will be interpreted by some as evidence of your secret plot to take the throne, help for an invasion or whatever other nonsense they can dream up after the fifth glass of brandy.

Just as you're deciding on a course of action you feel a presence approaching from behind with purpose. You turn in time to recognize someone who is not supposed to be here. Iryne was staying with Leshak, but here she is, all five foot nothing of her dressed up in some nice, frilly white skirts that help her thick, shiny black fur and B cup breasts stand out all the more. She's sipping from a flute of some form of sparkling rosé and grinning from ear to ear.

"Iryne - you seem to be enjoying the party" you say, giving her a little smile.

She bats her light brown eyes at you, giggles and says "I just had a little" quite loudly before moving in and hugging you. Close up she whispers "Follow me".

She talks loudly for a moment about how much she's enjoying the party then downs her glass and takes off.

Lessia had already been drawn into a conversation by the time Iryne showed up. She sees you going after Iryne and gives you a pained but supportive smile. Her dislike of politics and parties is even greater than yours but if she left it would cause a scene. You stop at the first corner and tell Narinna to double back and help Lessia and Bethany. She tries to argue, but you tell her they need her more than you. She growls at having to miss out on an adventure, but she does turn back after setting a smile on her face.

It doesn't look at all out of place when you shake your head and take off after her. Iryne leads you on a merry chase. You'd be annoyed except that she's obviously acting under instruction from Leshak. There's no other way she'd know just the way to cause a scene and just the right corridors to draw you through to make sure the most people possible get to see you chasing her.

Once you're out of the main corridors she leads you to a large storage room, packed with furniture. There you find Leshak and the other catgirls who you sent off with him. A few are still trying to work their way into various outfits that have probably been acquired from different parts of the castle. Nelayne has her arms crossed and mutters that "This is why I hate clothes!" Her opinion probably isn't helped by the tightness of her particular outfit's bust. "My dear," says Leshak, "you may not be comfortable but I assure you that you will have the attention of every red blooded man down there in the main hall."

Avina, one of the black furred twins, says "It looks great on you."

Carina, her sister, says "You just need some support - try the corset like Leshak suggested".

Nelayne's fur stands up and her yellow eyes blaze. "Stupid leather contraption!" she growls.

You **** yourself to look away from the twins, one in red velvet, one in blue, both with belts cinched tight to show off their narrow waists. "Here Nelayne - let me." She doesn't fight back but she glowers as you straighten out the corset and untangle the laces. Luckily there's a mirror in the corner of the room and so you turn her to face it before wrapping the corset around her midsection.

In trying to convince the catgirls to wear clothes you've done this a surprising number of times. The corset is a little undersized for a girl as tall as Nelayne so you add an extra belt, probably the missing piece that made things so uncomfortable. "This one isn't perfect for you, but with the right corset you'll actually find movement quite easy and you won't have to worry about your breasts bouncing so much." She grumbles but bears it - in all likelyhood it's only because as far as she knows you literally saved her life.

You have her bend and twist, loosening and tightening a few laces to get things just right. Then you hit her with the one trick that gets most catgirls to reconsider their opinion about corsets. "Take a look in the mirror."

Sure enough, the way the leather forms around her middle and smooths out her curves makes the tall warrior woman stop for a few moments.

"Ok, now jump up and down."

"Yeah, do it - it felt good when I did!" says Iryne.

So she does. Carefully at first, then higher. The corset and straps have a noticeable effect on the bounce and jiggle of Nelayne's bountiful breasts. She's not willing to say she likes it, but she does say it's better than the first time.

"Alright - perfect! Now, Nelayne - you take Avina and Carina. You three should go down to the Ambassadorial wing and help the princess."

"Right!" they all say and sweep out of the room.

"Oh, one thing," you say. "Iryne, you really shouldn't be drinking stuff like that in your condition."

"Oh, no, no," says Leshak. "Just a bit of sparkling grape juice taken from the children's table."

"I see you brought just about everyone. Where's Kalina?"

"Ah, Kalina is out raiding the buffet I believe. She's perpetually hungry that one."

"Triplets tend to do that."

"Ah - makes sense. So... I'm used to working alone. I don't really know what to do now apart from using Iryne and Kalina as runners."

"You want to use the pregnant girls as runners?" asks Iryne with mischief in her voice.

Leshak misses it and starts to backpedal. "Wha - no, er it's a military saying. You carry the messages..."

She gives him a hug and says "I know, I know, I overheard when you told Kalina. But it's so much fun playing with you."

He pulls her close and says "You're such trouble, but you're a quick study too". Leshak sighs and gives her belly a rub through her dress. You wouldn't have seen it save for catching the reflection in the mirror. Iryne has been a mischievous girl since her transformation but with a pair of babies growing inside her and now causing a faint swell in her belly you imagine she's been far worse than usual in her time with Leshak. He's an eligible bachelor, after all. It's equally obvious that it's working - Leshak is holding her protectively and has that smitten smile.

Perfect - Iryne won't let him go, Kalina is shy but has asked lots of questions about "what it's like" and Nelayne is never going to let the others beat her. A little maneuvering and you can ensure Leshak winds up with his own happy harem. After all, it's always good to have God, or at least a God, on your side and giving the high priest of the God of cats and stealth some pussy is definitely the way to achieve that goal. A few more good dreams and you're sure you can get Avina and Carina interested. Honestly those twins were pretty perverse before you did anything to them - they'll probably be happy to act as the glue that holds Leshak's harem together. Much like what Helena and Renee do for yours.

Leshak interrupts your horny thought train by saying "I'm sure you have a good idea of what I can do. If you need to get somewhere in the castle then I can get you there. If you need someone out of the loop for a few hours, or more, I can do that. But I know a lot less about what you're capable of - I can avoid magic, slide around it, but that doesn't make me an expert on what can be done with it. So... I'm at your disposal."