It depends on the way you do it, there are other options than Lordships. Government titles, or even special tasks and duties. Oligarch at its hight had what, 4 regions and 23 nobles and nobody was complaining. They only started to leave/complain when the entire north bashed us in and forced us back into Oligarch City only, making some people give up. But there are other ways to inspire people than Lordships if you make things fun. And then in time you can still grow into power.
