Just because you feel he wouldn't be losing anything doesn't mean he isn't. In fact, that's a very, very naive way of looking at it. He could have formed a relationship that would have seen him having a lordship in a couple months (purely hypothetical situation), but since his character has been killed off, he has to start over again, and it could be over a year before he gets another chance to get a lordship position.
Also, whether or not he could have heard you mocking him is irrelevant. It is a petty thing to do to a new player, and can also spread via word of mouth.
