Delusions of Grandeur

The trick is keeping your expected grandeur tiny, not making your actual grandeur huge. Any king in the 867 Iberia in Pieces bookmark has an expectation of just 1, so grandeur 7 unlocks it - far cheaper than the level 10 needed for Crème de la Crème. Pump amenities, artifacts and court positions exactly as for that one, and crucially do NOT expand: rank and realm size raise your expectation and move the goalposts. Stay small, live large.