Michel was offended, but he didn't let it show that the comment got to him. If he got upset every time someone tried to suggest he was of less importance, plenty of people would've lost more than just their heads at his own hands. And eventually, even in their current era, that might've been taken poorly. "He doesn't need to. He's well aware that I can talk for myself." The statement was meant to bite right back at the idea that she needed someone to vouch for her in the first place.
"You don't really look like you belong here. But then it's sometimes difficult to hide an orange among apples."