Or - in the case of noblese oblige - that is how you cultivate loyal subjects.

I'm put in mind of Daniel Leary of Bantry, from Drake's RCN series. He treats his ship's crews and his family's smallholders with unthinking consideration and respect, receiving in return loyalty and willing service. Lesser nobles than Daniel (e.g. nobles having less actual nobility about them) unthinkingly expect the latter even while consciously skimping on the former. In contrast with such entitled morons, Daniel is continually surprised when "his Sissies" (as those who crewed his first command the corvette Princess Cecile are known) volunteer for whatever ship he's currently captaining, even if this means taking demotions in rank or mustering out of the Royal Cinnabar Navy entirely.

Of course, part of that staunch loyalty IS Daniel's rep for garnering substantial amounts of prize money - from which his crews receive their regulation shares along with bonuses for exceptional service - whenever he ventures outward to the stars . . . but only part. :)