Is it easy to be an aristocrat? I think so. Sure, first you have to get a well-trained unit of mercenaries and seize a barony with them, then you use your strong will and belief in yourself to remake the territory you’ve seized.
Preferably without falling under the sword of other people trying to get their own noble titles. They’ll appear suddenly, from out of nowhere...
And some of your enemies will be found among those closest to you. If you somehow manage not to give up or go the wrong way, then soon you’ll learn that what really takes even more is leading an Alliance of multiple baronies.