Okay, having just binged thr past 40 chapters: yikes. The series seemed promising, but really decided to throw all that away for forced rapid plot progression.
I'm sorry (not sorry), but this series really is the political intrigue it thinks it is. And in trying to become that all of a sudden it's take the main character out of play for several chapters, is introducing major players and plot points left and right with no build up, and absolutely derailing other characters (like there is NO redeeming Katie at this point; the author might as well kill her off because he's already assassinated her (there's really no explaining away her working for someone who literally admitted to committing treason and illegally locking up her supposed friend... who she also barley helped after working for someone who at least didn't admit they were committing treason to her)).
The chapter length also does the pacing no favor. Really the author should have just resolved Isabella's BS when her son knocked down the lunch box. The MC and the readers went to the capital for ONE reason and she's only been in like half a chapter this whole arc. WTF?! I hate stories like this because they seem legitimately confused at the reason why readers read it. It's about a restaurant in the country side (that's literally it's name) and a happy go lucky chef who creates a warm and happy environment and helps people become their best selves. Yet the author's chosen to bring out the worst versions of characters and have one dimensional cardboard cutouts who belong in a Disney movie leading the plot.
I mean after all this is finally over... who the actual F*** cares? Is this suddenly going to be a different manga following a different main character in a different location? Otherwise I really don't care about the kingdom's politics. I really liked when the discipline sister was properly introduced and we got her back story. That felt like great conflict to deal with and resolve because I cared about her character and it felt personal to the MC and actually mattered to me as a reader. Plus it didn't interfere with the story's focus. But I don't care about the princess. She barely has a personality and being annoying isn't a replacement for that (really her and her attendants just feel like a really bad traveling comedy trio). Aside for Jean and her restaurant I don't care about anyone in the capital. The MC's brother so far is about as interesting as the second coat of paint on a fence (he's just going to be the most clichéd "anti" antagonist to the MC's style). I actually cared a little about Katie's future and her getting more development and eventually feeling like a less awful person, but the author went in the exact opposite direction and now I want to see her head on a pike. The literal only person in the capital I would have been worried about has been off screen this whole ordeal.
And that's from me binging this in less than 2 hours. I can't believe having actual followed this. So anyway, yeah, YIKES. At least I know to not follow it now. Jean's mother moment was badass as shit though I'll give it though. Just wish she actually killed those fools.