For all those wondering, the bubbles dominating minigame doesn't require you to tap at glowing bubbles, but at those shadowed. Basically, first you choose the affinity for them (obedience, love etc.), and then tap on darker (dont forget to read what they're already connected to). You can check the level of affinities by hovering your cursor above them aswell as just not targetting any bubbles (it'll show beneath the character how many of what does it have like 4/27 obedience 2/30 fear etc.)
Also, haven't encountered any issues with troops sending for defense, maybe im lucky (or maybe you guys try send more troops in total than you have?)